FROM THE BOARDROOM

JOHN WARD

Welcome to my first virtual programme notes. Our guests today, Petersfield Town, started the season with a heavy home defeat to Folland Sports last Saturday and will be keen to get back to winning ways this afternoon. However, we gave a very good account of ourselves in both fixtures last season. We look forward to another exciting contest and hope for the same result today.

Our performance last Saturday at Newport IOW was brilliant from start to finish. We had a tough pre-season against some higher divisional sides that gave both the players and managerial team some things to look at and resolve.

The amount of work and cost of preparing the ground are quite extraordinary. The clubs volunteers have gone the extra mile to ensure not only the players and officials safety but also you the supporters. Please ensure you follow the one way system in the Clubhouse and abide by the social distancing guidance posted around the ground.

No-one wants it this way, but surely this way is better than no way. Football is a social sport and is meant to be enjoyed “en masse.” It is about meeting mates, differing opinions, moaning about decisions, officials and players and the joy of victory and sorrow of defeat. It is about bringing the community together, who have one thing in common, their football club.

On a more cheerful note we congratulate the Swifts on a promising start to the season with two home victories in their opening fixtures. It was also pleasing to see a couple of the Swift players making their first team debuts last Saturday. Our long term future is dependent upon bringing through our own players so well done to both Ally and Charlie.

Also well done to the newly formed Ladies side that have won back to back friendly matches including a 3-1 win against Division Two side Rushmoor Community last Sunday.

Hope you enjoy the game and thank you for all your magnificent self-sacrificing support.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt.

Come on the Street!