This week our league received the sad news that one of our opponents in the Southern League Premier South, Walton Casuals, took the decision to manage the closure of their club and they will no longer be existing as a football club next season. A very sad day for the players, supporters and officials of that club and our heart-felt thoughts go out to everyone connected with Walton Casuals.
We often talk about the frailties of finance in non-league football and this is another example of just how close to the brink many clubs can find themselves. Huge credit to those at Walton Casuals who have made the very difficult decision to do this rather than carry on running a club that builds up huge amounts of debt. They are going out with no liabilities or indebtedness, and that for that they should be applauded. Still very sad. With Walton’s decision, that did leave our league temporarily one club short however this afternoon we received the news that Walton will be replaced in the league by Merthyr Town who have been given a reprieve after finishing 2nd bottom last season.
At Chesham United we know the club has sailed close to the wind on many occasions, but we are fortunate to have some excellent facilities and a good home support base that puts us in a good position to manage the finances of the rest of the club. This might be a good point to thank everyone that has already purchased their season ticket for the 2022/23 season, we are well on track for breaking all recent records for season ticket holders which is fantastic news – thank you for your loyalty and support.
A big thank you also to all the local businesses that are supporting the club, our commercial team have been very busy as we look on course to hit our income budget, we even have a floodlight sponsor signed up for the new season.
We will soon start to take bookings for player sponsorship, priced at just £50 for either home kit sponsorship or away kit sponsorship for your favourite player. Players will be allocated on a first come, first served basis although last season’s sponsors for each player will get their chance to sponsor that player again first. If you are interested, please email commercial@cheshamunited.co.uk.
Whilst the income is all good news, we have also been splashing out a considerable amount of money to improve the playing surface at The Meadow. We have now spent over £10,000 on the pitch repair and maintenance, fully aware that it needs to be in the best condition possible to match our promotion ambitions and still host the Ladies and Aylesbury United on our home ground. By the end of next season the cost of pitch maintenance will have topped £20,000 – a 30% increase on last season.
I am led to believe that all stag weekends and marriages are now completed for the summer within the playing squad as they prepare for a return to training. This coming Sunday the Board are meeting with the managers to discuss the plans for the season ahead, the current status of the playing squad and latest signings, as mentioned previously, any player announcements will be made at the appropriate time.
This weekend sees the Southern League AGM in Worcester on Saturday, unfortunately I will now be unable to attend. You must be bored by now of hearing about the latest illnesses within the boardroom, well this week I have been the one who has been unwell and ended up spending Tuesday afternoon and evening at the doctors trying to get a solution to the problem. As a result I will be unable to travel to the AGM, but fortunately we have been able to draft in a replacement attendee otherwise there would have been a £500 fine. heading our way! Any interesting news from the meeting will be shared with you next week.
There is no official work party this Saturday, but a number of us will be back at 9.00am on Sunday morning to finish the white lines on the terraces and the remaining tops of the wooden rails around the ground – if anyone would like to join us you will be more than welcome.
Thank you for your support.
Peter Brown, Chairman
