Hi all… seems like a long time since I last bored you with a “woz on” at the Ton and frankly I’ve enjoyed the rest.
I thought I’d do a bit of an update on what’s been going on and basically what’s round the corner as we charge towards the beginning of the season. When the season starts I’ll obviously get back into doing an update each week.
Ok… usual start …Woz on?
Well… we had the dinner and dance a few weeks back which included the awards ceremony which went well. Big thanks to Jonny, Churchie and Finn for organising a very enjoyable doo. Jules has pictures of most of the cup winners if you are interested and they are on the website.
We’ve just started back with senior training and we are very excited to reveal that we have a new Forwards “player” coach for this season and it’s none other than our very own Isaac Dalton who has returned from a very successful career at National one, Taunton Titans. This is a great boost to the club, and he will be joining our resident head coach Steve Smart for the season.
Official Training is now into its second week and Isaac’s return has spurred others to come down and it also doesn’t look like we’ve lost any players to other clubs, so numbers are looking healthy which is a bit worryingly positive for me.
We came fifth in the league last season, so given our new signings we are obviously hoping of finishing higher than that this season and who knows, maybe even getting into a promotion spot.
Jonny House is continuing as our skipper and Churchie is continuing with the management job.
So… for you supporters hopefully there will be a lot more to cheer about down at the “field of dreams” this year.
All the players are looking for new sponsors and we would love it if any of you readers would like to be a part of that and/or you want to give your company a weekly plug, just let us know. It cost £150 which means you become a member of the club and you get an invite to the sponsors lunch at the back end of the year and with Jules at the helm again doing our “social meja” I guarantee you’ll get a lot of press coverage, who can forget Stopper 1.3 million views on face ache, last Christmas.
The juniors have started their various training regimes and most evenings there is at least one lot training down at Allhallows. If you know any kids who want to join in, again just shout and we will put in contact with the right person. Everyone is welcome.
Also, some good news, Chris Baily, one of our Junior parents has been busy getting the field that he has offered up ready for the whole club for training on when the weather gets bad. Big thanks to him as this is such a generous offer.
Ok projects…well, firstly we’ve managed to get the showers working and big thanks goes to Martin Canniford from M R Canniford Plumbing and heating who has successfully managed to solve our water pressure problems. This will get a big cheer from the players for sure. Several of the other summer projects are a bit more problematic as all involve big capital outlays which is always a challenge for a small volunteer run club. For example, they say… “why don’t you put fencing up around the top pitch”?... great idea but to do this, it will cost in the region of 34K. Doing the drainage is also big bucks which we just don’t have. We are hoping we can tap into some grants, and we have various volunteers trying to source them but all this is taking time to do and no one has any money.
We have started on the cellar renovations, so the bar is currently out of action for this month. We are trying to insulate the walls which is an attempt to help save on our huge monthly electricity bills, as trying to keep the beer cool is expensive! Big thanks to Dave McGrath, Paz and Finn Parrot who are offering their service for free to help make it doable. Oh and thanks to Our Chair Chris Gould who is also part of the team, his highlight from the other night's work was discovering a screw that doesn’t need a rawl plug. . We hope to get this all done and up and running by the 1st August. Anyone know a kind-hearted plasterer?
Stopper, Gordon and I are trying to solve the leaking flat roof, so this one is a ‘watch this space’ solution.
There are lots of other things that need doing and Stopper, Gordon and I are picking off the jobs one by one…can you help? Gordon spent three full days cleaning the mould of the pitch fencing, so I must say a big hand to him for that. Clare Norris has done a deep cleaning in the kitchen which I know must have taken her and her family for ever, it is positively gleaming, again big thanks to her as well. As I say there’s still plenty of little jobs to do so if you’re at a loose end and can help let me know and I’ll find you a job suitable to your skill set.
Some sad news now I’m afraid, two of our loyal supporters have sadly died in recent weeks. Anthony Stocker who used to come down every week with his sister Gillian, died suddenly from a heart attack and also sadly Mark Joslin lost his battle with Cancer. His funeral is on the 26th July at the crem. Our thoughts go out to their family and friends. We'll drink a beer to them both at the first home game.
Ok nearly there…we have our Annual General Meeting on the 1st. August which will be held at the club at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and, on that note, if there is anyone out there who would like to join our merry band of long suffering committee members, please let us know and we’d welcome your help and support with open arms.
Finally, some preseason games for you to consider. If you want to go on tour the club is doing a fun preseason weekend on the 27/28th July when they go up to Worcester. They play Woodrush on Saturday and on the return journey on Sunday they are popping into Weston to play the Hornets.
We then have two proper Preseason games and this year both are at home, we play Bridport on the 10th August and then Southmead who are on a mini tour on the 17th August.
Think that’s enough now ….!
So…. #UTT
Lord Jez