Let me start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year, let’s hope 2022 proves to be better than the past couple of years and we call all start to look forward to a return to normality and a healthy life.
Unfortunately over the past week the club has been struck by a number of covid cases including our kit man and chef that has left us dreadfully short of helpers for the game against Hayes & Yeading on Saturday. At the moment it looks like I am taking on both of those jobs which is likely to mean that I will miss most of the game, but needs must – If you are able to help out with either of these roles, or would like to be added to our matchday volunteer list, please do get in touch via chairman@cheshamunited.co.uk.
We also have two of our turnstile operators unavailable so if you would be able to assist with manning a turnstile from about midday onwards that would be a massive help, along with any helpers available to clear up around the ground on Sunday morning. I appreciate these are busy times and we like to spend the festive period with our families, but we have been hit particularly hard this week and are desperate for help. Just to summarise, if you could help this weekend with any of the following, please get in touch:
- Turnstile operator from 11.30/12.00pm
- Setting out, washing kit
- Catering help for players and boardroom
- Cleaning up the ground Sunday morning from 9.00am
In better news, the players that have been isolating recently have been back in training this week and should be available for the game. Our match at Kings Langley on Monday ended with a disappointing draw, we did not play to our full potential throughout the game but can still feel disappointed by the 94th minute equaliser that deprived us of all three points. We will be hoping to bounce back in what will be a very tough match on Saturday, your support will be hugely appreciated – please note that kick-off for the game is 1.00pm at The Meadow.
I am also delighted to announce that defender Kieran Murphy became a proud father of a baby girl just after Christmas, we all wish him and his family the very best, no doubt he will soon be looking to come to training for a bit of a rest!
You may have noticed that we have a lot of new advertising boards around our pitch, a fantastic effort by Michelle and the commercial team which means that we now have only eleven spaces available to fill. I have challenged the team to get this completed, which I have no doubt that they will, so please get in quick by contacting commercial@cheshamunited.co.uk. The reaction to our sponsorship opportunities and the support we have received from the local business community has been phenomenal, we have this week also received the final piece in the jigsaw for sponsoring the scoreboard, this will cover the remainder of this season and next.
We also have nine home games left and seven match sponsor packages available which will give you seats in the Directors Box, a hot pre-match meal from our super Chef, a match day Programme each, and some alcoholic drinks with tea, coffee biscuits and cake at half time and the chance to select and present the man of the Match award. Again, please contact Michele our commercial salesperson at the address above.
Since announcing the competition to design our new kit for next season we have had a number of entries but urge all you budding designers out there to send your designs in to us, all entries need to be received by the end of January and the winner presented with a replica shirt of the design. You don’t have the be the best artist in the world, just have the best idea of kit – all entries welcomed.
I would like to publicly thank the management team that have supported myself and the board throughout the past year. As a team we are getting stronger and I am sure there will be much more to come over the next twelve months as we look to increase our commercial, social and community activity. We are always looking to grow the management of the club, in particular directors, but with Alan Calder, Andy Joslin, Andy Westlake, Ryan Woolnough, Gavin Jones, Tanya Fisher and John Hatch meeting with the board regularly, there is a wealth of experience and a great number of ideas that we now need to focus on turning into actions. Which we will do in 2022.
My final thanks of the year goes to all of our amazing supporters that have been simply brilliant over the past year, I know you give the players a lift on a matchday with your support and it gives myself and the Board a lift during some of those darker moments that inevitably come with running a football club at this level.
Thank you as always for your support, have a fantastic and safe New Years Eve and I look forward to seeing you bright eyed and bushy-tailed on Saturday for the 1.00pm kick-off against Hayes & Yeading.
Peter Brown, Chairman