This week saw the league structures for next season announced and, subject to any appeals that may affect us, we now know that we will once again be in the Southern League Premier South for 2022/23.
As mentioned last week, geographically we are on the border of a couple of divisions at our level in the non-league pyramid. Each year, after promotion and relegation, there are always teams that switch leagues across the pyramid to ensure that travel times are minimised as much as possible for all clubs. As an example, one of our most local league opponents last season, Kings Langley, have moved into the Southern League Central division next season.
What does that mean? Basically Kings Langley will be making most of their away trips northwards to play clubs in the midlands and northern home counties whilst we travel to teams on the west side of London such as Harrow, Hendon, Hanwell, Hayes & Yeading as well as plenty of much longer trips west to the likes of Plymouth Parkway, Weston-Super-Mare, Dorchester, Truro, Tiverton and Winchester – some fantastic away trips for supporters, not always so logistically great for getting players to the matches, particularly on a Tuesday night.
Ahead of the new season we will be having just three home pre-season friendlies to minimise impact on the pitch ahead of another long season for the grass. We are currently finalising those matches, and the away games, with one of the home fixtures likely to be against Hemel Hempstead Town from the National League South.
Speaking of the pitch, it has now had its 120 tonnes of sand deposited and is being regularly watered to help the seeds thrive and provide us with the perfect playing surface. A big thank you, as always, to Craig Ringsell for his passion and commitment to maintaining our pitch – I know he must find it frustrating how many games get played at The Meadow, but everyone at Aylesbury United, the Ladies, the Academy and of course the First XI is extremely grateful for the effort.
It would not be my weekly notes without an appeal for volunteer helpers, this week I am very keen to hear from anyone that can spare some time to do some odd jobs around the ground ahead of a routine health & safety inspection that takes place on 1st July. As much as I am confident in the safety of the ground, when you have an older stadium there is always the risk of the odd thing being picked up on an inspection and I want to be sure that we have everything in order ahead of the inspection and ahead of our next matches at The Meadow. If you can help, please contact me at chairman@cheshamunited.co.uk.
Just prior to that inspection, the last week of June, we will be having the new floodlights installed which is exciting news, you know the story and background to that by now I am sure and needless to say we would still very much welcome any donations you or anyone you know may like to make. Full details can be found on the GoFundMe page here.
Later this month we have our regular board and management meeting, we are currently in conversation with two potential new directors of the club – this is very much a priority going into the new season as we still remain spread very thin in the boardroom and being able to share some of the responsibilities will enable us to move forward at a greater pace.
In non-football news the club is once again being used for the filming of the latest series of Endeavour if you start to see film crews around and wonder what is going on – unfortunately it is not a documentary about Chesham United being made!
A final reminder that this is the last week to take advantage of the discounted Early Bird season tickets for the next campaign, if you have not yet done so, please do take advantage of the significant discount available.
Have a great weekend.
Peter Brown, Chairman
