WELCOME FROM JAMIE CLAPHAM

JAMIE CLAPHAM DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Good afternoon and welcome to today’s UCL Premier Division North game here at Loughborough University Stadium. I’m delighted to welcome Eastwood CFC management team, players, officials and supporters, too what will be another challenging encounter. .

Today’s opponents had a good result at the end of January beating Holbeach 4-1 and although February has seen them take just one point from their fixtures this has included three of the top four teams in the league on current standing so I’m sure it is going to be a really tough and competitive afternoon as all these games are. Our last home game saw us progress through to the FA Vase Quarter Final in front of an incredible 870 supporters. I know the players and staff really enjoyed the occasion and a big thank you goes out to the football staff, volunteers, and support staff for organising this and making the day run smoothly. These volunteers and support staff are a fundamental pillar upon us building the club and taking it forward. Despite the horrific weather conditions over the last few weeks, we have still managed to play football. Last weekend we played out an entertaining 3-3 draw away at Melton Town in very difficult conditions. All though we came away feeling disappointed with the result it still keeps our momentum going as we come into the end of the season where we still have lots to play for. Over the last two weeks we have also had difficult midweek fixtures at home to Cardiff Met and away to Bath University in the BUCS Championship Cup competition. Winning these two games has put us into the Semi Final so I am incredibly proud of the players for competing so well at different levels of the game. We will face Stirling away in the semi-final. Finally this is our first home league game without our outgoing Director of Football Richard Allen. I would like to thank him for all he has done in building the profile of men’s football, the Women’s Lightning and Futsal programme’s within Loughborough University. Thank you for your support and enjoy the game!

Jamie Clapham Director of Football