FROM THE

Editor

As much as I enjoyed February, it was certainly difficult on the media front......

Welcome to the supporters of Sungate FC, we hope you enjoy this afternoon’s match.

Well the dark mornings and evenings are starting to brighten as we emerge from another winter. They certainly seem to be coming round very quickly, but that could just be my age. At 47, I’m sure time is speeding up!!

We’re back at the Len Forge, following two home games at Southend Manor’s Southcurch Park Arena. They were cold evenings I can tell you. Note to self.....remember gloves when photographing during the winter months. No word of a lie, my fingers were burning, they were so cold.

I really enjoyed February. Catching up with league fixtures by playing Saturday and Tuesday/ Wednesday’s certainly made the month fly past and gave me a reason to leave the wife and daughter at home to enjoy the wind, rain, and freezing temperatures. Needless to say, the height of enjoyment was met with the task of producing the matchday programme. It’s quite rare for clubs at our level to produce a matchday programme, but I think it is something that, even digital versions, provide both informative and enjoyable reading, as well as a commercial avenue which could provide some form of income. This is my aim going forward.

My production of a programme goes back to when I was media manager for Great Wakering Rovers and after seeing some of those programmes in my loft recently, I think I’ve come a long way in both design and content. One thing that hasn’t changed is doing this on my own, but then, how many club’s at our level have a dedicated volunteer to run the media side of the club. Everyone can thank Trenks for getting me over here 4-5 years ago, and I’d like to think the club has gone from strength to strength with its media offerings each year.

I got fined by the players for not charging the VEO camera for the Toby game, which I took on the chin. I paid my fiver but charged it back to my daughters pocket money as she took the plug out of the wall from the extension lead to charge her Nintendo DS. ‘Honest guv’nor I’m innocent’!!

So we’re back in league action following a close fought defeat on Saturday under some strange circumstances. A referee blowing for pushes all game, but doesn’t in the final minute and we concede the winner.....but.....that’s football. We dust off, and concentrate on the next game.

How good is it that we have two players in the top 5 of the league’s golden boot list. Step forward Aaron Baldwin and Liam Oliver, who have both performed superbly well this season. It will come down to the wire who will pick up the club golden boot award at our presentation evening but, so long as they grab a few more before the end of the season, we’ll push Hutton & Rayleigh Town as much as we possibly can.

Let’s hope today is a little warmer, PLEASE!!!! Enjoy the game.

Rob Lilley Media Manager, CUFC

Catholic United Football Club

Len Forge Centre, Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend-On-Sea, SS2 6UH

Club Officials

President - Paul Marsh

Chairman - James Paviour

Secretary - Warren O’Neill

Treasurer - Grace Harding

Media Manager - Rob Lilley

First Team Management

Manager - Simon Thomas

Assistant Manager & Coach - Tom Harding

Physio - Emily Mackler

Team Managers

Reserves - Eamonn Kearney

Saturday A - Fabio Peluso

Saturday Vets - Paul Hodges

Sunday First - Andrew Doherty

Catholic Athletic - Rory Gregory

Media

Programme Editor - Rob Lilley

Programme Contributors - Rob Lilley, Simon Thomas, Michael Sammut, Andy Wilkins

Photographer - Rob Lilley

Videographer - Rob Lilley

Social Media

Facebook - facebook.com/catholicutdfc

Twitter - @catholicutd

Instagram - @catholicutdfc

YouTube - youtube.com/@catholicutdfc

Website - catholicutd.co.uk / essexbhoys.co.uk

Contacts

Club Secretary - secretary@catholicutd.co.uk

Media - media@catholicutd.co.uk

Catholic United Football Club registered address: 20 Cottesmore Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2TG

Official Media Partner