Many things have been said and written but I cannot let this opportunity go without saying a few words about the sudden death of our Chairman Mr Tony Dunning.

            I have been involved with the football club for over 30 years, both on the playing side and the organisational side. I met Tony through my involvement with the club and had known him for some 20 odd years. In our capacity as officials of the club, we experienced good days and bad days, as all followers of football clubs do, but we also got a great deal of enjoyment out of it.

            Tony was a great man to know, a very good friend and I shall miss him a lot.

            So, before getting down to the real action don’t you think we ought to have a little update from my last article? Well we are going to anyway!

            Predictions who would have them, The ‘Ashes’ drawn series I said, what did England go and do – but win the series and reclaim the urn, you can’t get them all right, can you?

            The Sports Gala day was a success and it is the intention of the Ground Committee and the sporting sections, for it to become an annual event, I will keep you informed as to the timing and planned activities. 

            The planned development of the club continues to proceed. At present, all the clubs have had their meetings and discussions regarding the initial plans. Their thoughts have gone back to the architect for him to make some slight alterations to those original plans.

            We will have had another meeting in November for the plans to be finalised. It is then a case of putting some costs  together for the works and then in the New Year we will hopefully be in a position to put forward a planning application for the proposed extension and alterations.

            I am sure there will be people who are in agreement and some who have reservations. But there is no doubt that    improvements need to be made, not only to update the facilities for all the associated sports clubs, but the general membership as well, and at the same time giving the club itself an opportunity to modernise a little and improve its ability to continue to provide an ideal venue for people to hold their private functions.

            And now time for some football news – well as many of you already know, there have been a number of changes to the first team squad this season and a few of the players who have been with the club for a number of seasons have moved on.  Mark has brought in a number of new players, and when this happens, it often takes time for the players to gel together, but I am sure that things will work out.

            At the time of writing we are still in the FA Vase with another, yes another away tie later in the month! To date, the league results have been inconsistent, but I am certain that will improve as the season goes on.

            As you readers already know, the football club has a very active and strong junior membership, which of course is very important to any club. It is often difficult for junior and senior sections to agree on everything, but, the junior section’s involvement at first team match days and their support at the Sports Gala is and was, very much appreciated.

            It is now time for me to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and don’t forget lads – get those shopping boots on to keep your ladies happy.

Alan Brenkley.