The First Team reached the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy for the second time in our history and only some puzzling refereeing decisions at South Park Reigate last Saturday ended what was an excellent run in a tough competition. In the FA Cup, after excellent wins against Basildon United and Enfield, we exited at the hands of Cambridge City after fielding a side hit by no less than seven injuries! It was pleasing to avenge that defeat a few weeks later when with a stronger side, we ran out 2-o winners at Cambridge City in the FA trophy. The Southern League Division One Central is as challenging as we expected it to be and the new management team and players can feel satisfied with the start we have made in what is a very competitive league. Team selection has been hampered by injuries to key players but despite this, there have been some excellent performances most notably the away wins at Kings Langley and Biggleswade FC, both strong, experienced teams. Our home form needs attention for sure, but as players return from injury and we add one or two more signings, I feel certain that this will improve. It is important, however, to maintain a balanced perspective on where we are as a club and to manage our expectations. We have a new management team, a new squad of players and we are competing in a new league, full of strong, experienced sides, many with access to much greater finances than our own. There is much work to do and Gary Flinn and his team are working hard behind the scenes to improve the squad and develop a team structure and identity that will in time, bring a greater consistency of performance. Let’s all be realistic and patient and get behind Flinny and the team as they re-establish the ‘Town’ as a competitive Step 4 club.

The Development Team have made an excellent start after gaining promotion last season. As was always our intention, the majority of players in the squad are under 20, and have been fearless in their approach to Step 6 football, as they compete both physically and technically with some very experienced opposition. A growing number of U18 players are regularly starting for the team and some of their performances have been outstanding. Several young players have been involved with the First Team including Finley Jaggard, Jack Sale, Josh Hatton, Harvey Heeps and Elliot Kefford.

The U18s have continued their excellent form of last season and at the time of writing, have a FA Youth Cup First Round Proper game to look forward to against National League opponents Solihull Moors after wins against Kettering Town, Wealdstone and Kings Lynn Town. The youth development structure continues to go from strength to strength and we have recruited a strong, talented group of coaches and managers to oversee an important part of our football club structure. My sincere thanks to all our volunteer coaches and managers who have developed one of the very best young player development programmes in the Home Counties!

Off the pitch our hard working volunteers continue to move the club forward and this can be seen in the significant improvements that have been made recently to the hospitality facilities and the ground. Much remains to be done and our focus currently is on facility improvements that we will need to make shortly to achieve the ground grading requirements for step 4. This is going to be very expensive and although we are in the process of putting bids together for funding and have secured some sponsorship from local businesses, the club will still need to find a significant amount of money to make these changes. We have established a new Commercial sub-committee to develop our commercial strategy and this includes the owners of a number of local businesses in the town. I am pleased that we now host two business networking groups at the club, MK Collaborate and our local ‘Business over Breakfast’ group. Both have provided important networking opportunities and have delivered a number of extra partners/sponsors. Huge credit must go to our committee and other volunteers who selflessly give so much of their time to ensure that the myriad of tasks required for a club at this level to function, are carried out so effectively.

In conclusion, there is much to feel positive about. There will be ups and downs as the season progresses. We have already experienced these and we will almost certainly continue to do so, such is the competitive nature of football at Step 4. May I take this opportunity to thank our loyal supporters who continue to come in big numbers to support not only the First Team but the Development Team and U18s. This support is crucial if the club is to reach it’s short and medium term goals. Please continue to be supportive and patient. We are all working incredibly hard and are determined that the club will continue to be forward thinking, community focused and ambitious, both on and off the pitch. Up the Town!

Sincere thanks and warmest wishes

Sean