Some brief notes, a day early, this week just to wish you all a very Happy Easter and remind you of what we have to look forward to over the weekend.
Tomorrow – yes Friday, take note – the First XI are at home to Hayes & Yeading United as we look to take another step towards our ultimate ambition. We are currently in a fantastic position in the league, 14 points clear at the top, and we are determined to not start counting any chickens yet, however, you can definitely sense that build up of excitement, dare I even say expectation, around the town as we move into the final six games of the season. I am certainly not going to quash that excitement with too much caution, but I can assure you we are taking nothing for granted and I urge as many supporters as possible to pack the terraces at The Meadow tomorrow to cheer the team on to what would be a crucial three points. Kick-off at The Meadow is 3.00pm, as always, tickets can be purchased in advance vias the website to speed up your entry to the ground. Please arrive early.
We are back in action on Easter Monday with a short trip to play Harrow Borough, again, it would be fantastic if we could take a large following with us to that game. It is possible that if a combination of results go a certain way that we could be crowned…no, let’s not even start thinking like that.
It was another week without a game for the women’s first team. They were due to travel to London Seaward but Seaward had a rescheduled cup game drop in the diary so it was another week without competitive football. The Development team did play and came out with a tightly fought 2-2 draw against Kidlington Youth. They’re currently in 4th place in the table with 3 games left to play. The first team have an important game this Sunday against AFC Sudbury so we’d love to see a big crowd in for that game. 2pm kick-off.
Congratulations also go to two of our Over 40 Women’s Walking Footballers, Sian Williams and Paula Lambert who have been called up for England trials. If you fancy trying walking football we’re starting some come and try sessions at Chiltern Lifestyle Centre on a Friday at 11:00 and would love to see you!
Amidst all the excitement it was very sad this week to learn of the passing of a friend of the club and a personal friend who I have known for more years than I would like to count, Edward Bartlett. We will pay our respects to Ed at tomorrow’s game as our thoughts go out to his wife Freda, his son Glen, and all the rest of his family. Ed’s funeral is on Wednesday 10th April, 12pm at Chesham Methodist Church on Bellingdon Road, followed by a wake at the Chess Suite.
The sad news continues unfortunately, as I attended the funeral of David Penn (better known as Arthur) today, another long time supporter of the club, who many of the supporters who stand in the Popular Stand will have known. I played cricket with David at Hawridge & Cholesbury CC many years ago and have known around sport in Chesham for over 50 years, David’s passing will leave a hole both on the terraces and in the lives of those who knew him.
Let’s hope we can go on and complete the job of getting promoted this season, I know that Ed & David will be somewhere cheering us on.
Plans for the Comedy Football Match on May 11th are continuing at a pace, if you have not yet booked your tickets for this wonderfully bonkers event, please visit the website where you will be able to order online. On the day both teams will be wearing our new 24/25 playing strip (home and away), with replica shirts available for sale on the day of the match.
We do still have some stock of this season’s shirt available in a variety of sizes. These are now available with a £10 discount from the shop inside the clubhouse tomorrow, so be sure to arrive in good time for your pre-match drinks in The Chess Suite, pick up a bargain shirt and lunch at either Billy’s Burger van or a treat at the Tea Bar in the Popular Stand.
See you tomorrow, and Happy Easter.
Peter Brown, Chairman
