This is the time of the year when I always seem to find it difficult to turn my thoughts to football - well it is Summer isn’t it? The Cricket Season is still going strong, with all the talk of twenty twenty competitions at home and overseas and who is going to provide the most prize money. Talking about prize money the, F.A. have increased the prize money fund for the FA Cup this season “about time”, I say, considering the amount of money they pay the England manager and his entourage.

          Well here we go again, already another 3 months gone by, a super summer, weather wise. The cricket could have been better, both at international level, (even though we have just won the second test against Pakistan), and for Pickering, where the firsts are having a struggle, but the seconds with a very young side, are at present having a good run.

          Spot the differences – England have just lost the test match series to South Africa, the Pickering first team are struggling and the Seconds top their league, so where is the difference and no prizes for getting it right.

          But from a football perspective things have changed. The club have just reported a positive balance sheet for the year ending May 2008, which will hold them in good stead for the forthcoming season. This has been achieved with a lot of hard work and the new management team which came together last year. They must be congratulated for their efforts, but as always, complacency must not be allowed to creep in. No sooner do the club announce the details of a new sponsor, who will provide track suits and warm up tops for the First Team, and also provide some financial assistance to team travel, then the club find out that the company who have provided the buses for team travel over the past few seasons, will no longer be able to continue to do so. A new company needs to be found, and this will not easy, especially as costs are likely to increase substantially. It is hoped that the club will be successful in finding a   replacement, because there is no doubt providing transport to the majority of away games, has allowed spectators to travel and watch games, which they would not have been able to do so otherwise. I am sure it helps the team to have such a loyal band of supporters.

          Last season was Mark’s first full season in charge, and the club finished third in the league, their best position for quite a number of years. He has worked hard in the close season to acquire one or two new players, to improve the squad - to go that bit further and hopefully improve on last seasons finish, and also have some success in the cup competitions. The other teams will, I am sure, be thinking the same, so it will not be easy.

          To assist in his work load Mark has appointed Sean Chapman as new Under 19 manager, to continue the progress of the club and see more players making the transition up to first team level.

          The club has achieved much in the last year, but the hard work must continue so that the progress made is for the benefit of all.

          My outside tip for a team to do well in the Premiership, for the last two seasons, my tips have had a local feel to them, but both Middlesbrough and Newcastle have let me down. I wondered whether Kevin Keegan might inspire something into Newcastle or whether even Hull City might provide that first season wonder that promoted teams sometimes do, but I have decided to stay close to home and go for Sunderland to provide a bit of buzz to the Premiership, if that is possible.

Alan Brenkley