Everybody will be pleased to know everything worked fine this time! The e-mail to remind me about my article and the follow up phone call – so are you all sitting comfortably..... well here we go, another must read article from me to you – all the latest about Pickering Town Community Football Club.

          First thing I would like to mention, since our exit for the ‘second time’ this season from the FA Vase, this is the 5th time in 7 seasons we have reached the last 32 of the competition, I might be slightly biased in my opinion, but I feel that is quite an achievement for a club of our size.

          However, the league must be our priority now. In my last article I mentioned  Ground Grading, in fact not only in the last article, but the one before that and the one before that. I make no apologies for writing about it again, because it is a most important issue if the club is to maintain its status and go forward, then the ground improvements we have planned, must take place.

          An agreement has now been reached with the Cricket Club for us to proceed with the new fencing on the cricket side of the ground. The fencing must be of a solid structure. Each panel will measure approximately 3 metres wide and 1.83 metres high As with everything else the club has done over the last 15 years regarding ground improvements, we will not compromise, and the fence will be of excellent quality. This will have to be in place for next season if we are to get promoted, that is as long as we finish in the right position in the league. At the same time we have to provide a much improved Toilet Block behind the Cricket Score Box.

          So how are we going to achieve all this and more importantly, how do we fund it?

Some of the projects are grantable, but of course, this will not cover all the costs involved. There will, as always, be a   considerable amount of volunteer labour to assist in the projects, but to help fund the costs we are proposing a sponsorship scheme for the fence panels.

          Each panel can be sponsored for a cost of £60, the panels will be numbered 1-50 (although not literally). We will create a sponsorship page on the website and in the match day programme, numbered 1-50, whereby the sponsors name, whether   company or individual, can be printed. You could, if you are quick enough, have your name put alongside your favourite number - so don’t delay!

          Once all the panels are sponsored, there will be a draw with the numbers 1-50. The winning number drawn will receive £200, I know we are a generous lot in Pickering, aren’t we(?), but to be serious, your support would be gratefully received, and of course  it will help PROMOTE THE PIKES. Don’t forget, to achieve that aim, we also have to provide those extra improved outside toilet facilities!

          Other sponsorship opportunities include sponsoring of the new team shelters, this will cost £1000.00. The name of the sponsor can be shown on the back of the shelter with some publicity on the website.

          I apologise if I keep harping on about ground improvements, they are a very  important part of our future and whilst the club continues to play at the level they do, it continues to give our Under 19’s and junior players something to aspire to.

          Another improvement the club has made recently is that of its website http://pickeringtown.netfirms.com/   this is now being kept updated on a  more regular basis with the latest news. The web address may change soon but we will keep you informed of any changes.

          My ‘dark horse’ tip - Newcastle has been in the news recently, but unfortunately not for their results - just Keegan mania may be they ought to be my tip next season. 

Alan Brenkley.