CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME David Morris gives his latest thoughts ahead of today's match

from Ashby Ivanhoe VS Ingles Saturday 3rd September 2022

IN OPPOSITION Read about Ingles history

DAVID MORRIS CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME

Good afternoon & welcome to The NFU for today’s game. Our opponents today are Ingles FC & they are a club we have been playing against for many years starting long ago in The North Leicester League so we welcome their players and officials back to Ashby this afternoon.

Well what a weekend we had last week, firstly on Friday night we hosted a 60th birthday party (clubhouse & marquee available for hire by the way) which highlights how a club like ours needs to drive non-football related income, then on Saturday the FA Vase game where we put on a superb performance to beat higher level opponents Malvern Town. This sets up a mouth-watering tie against Rocester in the next round on 24th September, so let’s hope for another huge crowd for that one. Talking of crowds, Malvern brought a great travelling support & came on a posh coach which sadly then proceeded to break down meaning they didn’t leave the ground until 8pm, needless to say our stock of cider was depleted by the time they left. One wag (Emmo) observed that quite a few teams have come to The NFU and “parked the bus”, but not many have left it here for the entire weekend !!!

Then on Sunday we hosted The Eric Avins Memorial game, against our friends from Marlborough Rovers, again another big crowd enjoyed the sunshine, a few beers and a fun game between legends of the 2 clubs, for the record Ivanhoe won 5-4 but it was a great occasion and one we will repeat again next year.

Finally, we had a Bank Holiday trip to Bilston. Always a tough place to go and whilst we were a touch disappointed to concede an equalizer with 6 minutes to go, a point over there could be a good one when we look back on it later in the season.

After all that it’s been nice to have a quiet week & build up for today (and empty the bins) , so good luck to Andy and the boys, thanks for your support, hope you enjoy the game and come on Ivanhoe !!

Dave Chairman

If you are visiting the ground by car please DO NOT OBSTRUCT the junction to Cambrian Way by parking on the grass/path verge as this is both dangerous and you could get a fixed penalty notice from the Council and or Police.