Summer time is just around the corner, although, with the weather we have had in April, you would think that it had already arrived! The County Cricket Championship is well under way, with some counties having already played 3 games at the time of writing - could Lancashire be the winners for the first time in 77 years? We shall see! Of course we must not be carried away, as this could be it for the year - sunshine that is! 

            This is the article where I try and give you a ‘round up’ for the season. But this year it is a little more difficult, as whilst writing this article, the first team still have a fixture to play - although they are guaranteed a place in the top eight of the league. The Under 19’s have an outstanding league fixture to play, which, if they were to win it, they would finish runners up. They also have, after a successful appeal with the FA against their expulsion from the League Cup Competition, a semi final to play.

            At first team level it has been an interesting year, with some outstanding, but also some disappointing performances, from a young side. But one thing to come out of this, is the progress of some of the Under 19 players, who yet again have filled the void,when injuries and unavailability have taken their toll. I do hope we can keep some of these players together, because I believe if we can, then the future is bright, although with the recent announcement of Mitch Cook’s resignation, this will be more difficult, as I am sure that he will be looking to take many of the players with him.

            Mitch Cook’s resignation so that he can take over at Bridlington Town next season, was very disappointing for the club. I wish Mitch all the best, but I am disappointed that he has chosen to leave the club after just 8 months. I appreciate that in Bridlington, he will be taking on what he considers, a bigger club with greater chance of success. But success is relative and in Pickering Town he had a marvellous opportunity to enhance his reputation for bringing on young players and playing a part in bringing the junior and senior sections more together in our Community Football Club.

            Anyhow it is not to be and I am sure that a new manager will be appointed fairly quickly, and by the time the Beacon has arrived on your doorstep, he could be in place. It is important that the club has taken, or takes a long term view, because as I stated earlier, it would be good to keep some of the younger players together. Success of course is important, but at a club like ours, continuity and stability are also important and the continual changing of players and managers is not a good thing and something that the club does not have a reputation for.

            Financially, the club is now much sounder then it has ever been and congratulations to the present Management Team on all their hard work. Let’s hope that the success off the field, is mirrored by success on the field, by the next manager - whoever it may be. 

            Juniors – again another successful season, with teams competing well in their respective divisions and competitions. Yes, some teams will have done better than others, but I am still a great believer, that giving children the opportunity to play and compete, is a great learning experience for them all.

            In the cup competitions, both the Under 15’s Boys team and the Under 14’s Girls team, have reached their respective league cup finals.

            I have said this before, but a great deal of thanks must go to all the parents who help run the teams and the organisation of the junior section – I know it is often a thankless task, so once again, a big thank you to them all.

 Alan Brenkley.