Welcome to the end of another week and another step towards normality, whatever that might look like in the future but every additional moment spent together is a positive step in the right direction I think.
For anyone that did not believe it beforehand, the activities of the last week have proved beyond doubt that the very top level of our game is all about money, pure and simple. We have kind of come to terms with the astronomical wages some players earn, monthly wage packets that are more than some fans will earn in a lifetime; but this week has confirmed beyond all doubt that the people that own these clubs are playing their own game of lining their own pockets no matter the costs.
For clubs like Chesham United it is a different world. Our supporters are our life and soul, and it has been heart-warming to read comments on various forums including lines such as “I’m so glad I found Chesham United when I did” or “get yourself along to The Meadow, it is PROPER football.”. Proper football. I like that term, it is exactly what you get at our level and I hope more and more people will come to realise that they have proper football on their doorstep, wherever they live in the country.
For supporters that enjoy the regularity of kick-off at 3.00pm on a Saturday, being allowed a pint, in a glass, in the clubhouse before a match, a Bovril and burger on the terrace and a chance to meet safely with fellow, and even opposition supporters, non-league football is where you belong. At Chesham United I can assure you the supporters, the various playing sections of the club and our local community are at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. Nobody is in it for the money at Chesham, quite the opposite, many have had to dig in to their own pockets from time to time to help out. I also like to think that we communicate and consult with supporters in a way that bigger clubs simply cannot. Through these notes we have asked for feedback on input for things like kit designs and use of our car parking spaces. We do that because we know it is important to keep supporters onboard. Of course, there will be conversations that remain confidential, primarily because they will involve personal finance of individuals, be that wages or donations; or there may be conversations that if shared or leaked may affect ongoing negotiations for benefitting the club, but beyond that, our aim is to be very transparent to supporters and the community at large and my email, therefore me personally, is there for people to use: chairman@cheshamunited.co.uk.
No reams of people to get through to speak to the person you want to, straight to me! Put simply, without you, we do not have a club. So please, if you have any friends or family that are feeling despondent about football after what has gone on over the last week, tell them about Chesham United, bring them along to a game when the new season starts and let them see for themselves that PROPER football does still exist.
Now, back to news around the club! I am, very excited about conversations we have had with the Youth Section Chairman and managers over the last few weeks and I am very happy to announce that the Chesham team that plays, and is closing in on the league title, in the West Herts League Division One, are going to apply to join the Herts County League next season as Chesham United B. This will give the Chesham United Youth a clear pathway towards potentially becoming a first team player. A small but significant step in getting the playing structure of our club to where it should, and needs to be to go into the future.
Our Academy were also in action this week, coming from behind twice to beat Yate Town 4-2, making that seven wins out of seven to leave them six points clear at the top of the league, with three games to play. Fantastic work.
Elsewhere, two stalwart supporters, John Hatch and Mark Pearce, have joined together to lead our new project of “United into The Community Trust”; our vision for the future at this stage is one which will see solid foundations in place because of partnerships with various local organisations built over the period of time which will be of mutual benefit for both Chesham United Football and the local community. The partnerships will help raise respective parties awareness, fundraise at the same time to provide greater links and also provide for a greater sense of communication with one and other going forward. More so than ever in the current climate it is vital that the local community works together and it is intended that “United in the Community” will help play it`s part in that role.
It has been fantastic to be able to have a drink from The Chess Suite, served on the terraces, this week, seeing lots of faces that I have not seen and conversations not had for a while. The clubhouse will be open again this weekend from 5pm Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Plans are also well advanced for the Christmas panto, Jack and The Beanstalk, which we are putting on in our clubhouse for a Gala night on Saturday 11th December with a 7.30pm start, with further performances on Sunday 12th and 19th with a 2pm start. This show is being written, produced and directed by our very talented local David Roden, with many other talented local people offering their time, and skills, on a voluntary basis so that we can raise a lot of money for our chosen charity, Bucks Mind, to make this show a great success.
We will be approaching you all to come along and to purchase tickets, programmes and support this very worthwhile cause. More information will come out over the next few months so please make a note in your diary now. Tickets will be priced at £10 Adults, £8 concessions and £5 for children. We will have vacancies for actors and actresses and the many helpers required to put on the show so please put your names forward as soon as you can with any skills you may have that will help us. Watch this space!
Other dates to look out for at the club include the first team players training at the Meadow on Saturday 1st May from 11.00am and staying afterwards for drinks on the terraces if you want to come down and meet and talk with them all. We will also be hosting the Mick Bull Charity match on Saturday 17th July – football is coming back!
Thanks for your support, stay safe and stay well
