On the pitch we continue to have full squads in virtually every age group and we are beginning to see tangible success on the field too. Last season the Under 14’s won their league and the Under 15’s got to the Semi-final of their cup. This season the Under 11’s won promotion, the Under 12’s won a 7-a-side tournament and the Under 16’s got to the semi-final of their cup yet again.

Off the pitch we have been bedevilled by friction – initially in finding it difficult to reach a ground-sharing agreement with the cricket club and subsequently in trying to deal with the FSCA Development Committee’s aspirations for a single club structure within FSCA. Sadly much of my time and that of several of my committee colleagues has been caught up with these largely unproductive issues which, as we speak, are not entirely put to bed.

Financially we are sound – very sound – and we also have the promise of a grant of £10,000 towards an “allweather” surface for the Tennis Courts to turn this into a practical area for both Tennis and Football training/6-a-side. We are also the proud users of a new car park thanks to the generosity of Ian Hutchins and the help of Fulmer Parish Council. In an attempt to get more involved with and have more influence on FSCA we now have 3 members on that body and hope to help steer it to a sensible and realistic future. We have played our part in the 3 major annual fund-raising events of the year – Bonfire Night, Quiz Night and Fulmer Family Fun Day all of which have been a success.

None of all this would have happened without the Club’s Executive Committee and I wish to thank and pay tribute to each and every one of them not only for the work they do in their own spheres but also for all the support they give me.

Sadly 3 members are stepping down from the Committee – all Ladies – Christine, Eppy and Margaret. Each have made a major contribution to the club over several years – Christine as Under 15’s Team Rep. and Minute Secretary, Eppy as Under 13’s Team Rep., Membership Secretary and Team Reps Rep. and Margaret as Social Secretary and Coffee Bar supremo. Thank you all so much – you will be hard acts to follow but in Debbie, Keith and Andy I have every confidence and – subject to their election – welcome them on board.

I believe that 3 seasons is about the right time to spend as Chairman and since I took up the reins from Phil in November 2005 my time should be up before the next AGM. We should be looking for my successor from now on to allow them a spell as Vice-Chairman before taking over the Chair. Equally we need to be thinking about a new Treasurer as Mark has indicated that this will be his last year and we want an orderly and stress free handover on both jobs.

We also need to unload some of the considerable burden on Phil’s shoulders and I intend in the next month or so to propose the appointment of an Assistant Secretary to take on some of the Administration jobs from him.

The future is bright – the Club has moved from start-up to being an established and registered FA Charter Standard Community Amateur Sports Club – it is financially robust and has virtually full membership.

We do need to share the burden of running it between more people and in this context I am pleased to say that we have got 7 new names via the recent Award Presentation evenings who have indicated they would like to help “ in the running of the Club” in some capacity. I will be ringing them in the next week or so!

Meanwhile I would like to close by paying tribute to the Coaches, Team Reps, Committee Members and other Parent volunteers of this Club who make it such an enjoyable and – dare I say – successful operation and without whom we would just not exist.

Tony Davidson
Chairman
1/6/08