The festive period can be a difficult time for many, but on behalf of myself and the Board, I genuinely hope that you have all been able to enjoy it and spend valuable time with loved ones and friends.

As you will have seen, we as a Club have had no matches over the festive period. I decided this because I feel that the management, players, and supporters all deserve a break during this important family get-together period.

Ian will be the first to admit that we are not the finished article just yet. Still, in his first season in management, he and JD have faced a difficult task in moulding a team capable of playing the progressive style of football we all want to see, while also delivering the results we need to move into the top half of the league—something that could not have been foreseen when we were left without a squad at the start of the season. As previously stated, the First Team management will be strengthened by the arrival of Sam Sketchley from Greenways. We all expected there would be bumps in the road, and there will be more, I am sure, before the end of the season. However, as a Board and as a group of supporters, we must stay united and continue to show our support for Ian, JD, their management team, and the squad as they work tirelessly to improve and deliver our ultimate goal.

Over the last six months, I have been working hard to ensure that our supporters, both new and old, have a great matchday experience when they come to support their team at Jubilee Fields. To this end, I would like to thank Mel and her staff for their professionalism, which ensures that all our visitors enjoy their time on matchdays, regardless of which team they support. You will all be aware that the Parish Council project to build a 3G pitch beside our main pitch has now been agreed, with work due to start at the end of March and be completed in June. As a result, I have now been advised that the Club and the Parish Council can begin negotiating Heads of Terms to allow the Club to build our new clubhouse beside the main pitch, for which planning permission was granted in 2024. Based on my previous experience with similar matters, I foresee this process taking at least the first three months of the new year. Once agreed and signed off by solicitors, the Club will then begin the grant application process, allowing us to claim funds to add to the monies already raised through crowdfunding. Please look out for further updates.

Regarding matchday experience or any football-related matters, we as a Club welcome any further input or suggestions from supporters, either via the website or directly to my email.

On a final note, fans will have noticed that the pitch is looking excellent, and to date we have not had any First Team fixtures postponed due to the pitch being unplayable, as has happened in previous seasons. This is due to a decision I made at the start of the season to employ Bren, who owns Artistree Fencing & Landscapes. As the Club could not afford this expense, I agreed to personally cover all pitch maintenance costs, and the results are there for all to see. My thanks go to Bren and Dean for their continued support.

Since I took over as Chairman of the CIC Board, I have been working continuously to meet the demands of the present while also laying foundations for the future. This is not an easy balance to strike, but with your continued support, I look forward to seeing these green shoots continue to appear both on and off the pitch in the coming months. I have now identified all current sponsors and advertisers and will be confirming what the Club has offered them in return for their support, to ensure that we are fully honouring all agreed commitments.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our matches.

PBB