End of Season Chairman's Notes
John Fenwick compiles his notes for what would have been the Leatherhead programme at the end of next month.
The early end to the season has been confirmed by the Football Assocation, and as disappointing as that is, it is sensible to put this decision into perspective and recognise that it is more important to keep indoors whenever possible and to stay safe during these unprecedented times.
I would like to start by thanking you all for your fantastic support, both home and away, throughout the season. It has been greatly appeciated by the board, the officials and the first team management and players.
Even with the season finishing early, it has been an extremely enjoyable and memorable one with several highlights and I would like to thank Hayden, Tutu, Kevin and the players for their efforts this season, not forgetting Paul and Jamie who have provided excellent support to the team behind the scenes.
At the beginning of the season, several supporters asked Hayden if we could please have a cup run this season. I think it is fair to say that he and the players have more than fulfilled this request!
The weekend at Macclesfield was easily my most enjoyable as a director and chairman of the Club, with excellent preparation both on and off the field, culminating in a record-breaking 4-0 win which was a fair reflection of the performance on the day. Before that there were excellent away team performances and victories at Weston-Super-Mare and Dartford. Then there was the Club’s hosting of “Football Focus” on the day of the AFC Fylde Second Round match, with the extended highlights of the game on “Match of the Day”. It was certainly a cup run to savour and remember.
Also let’s not forget our excellent run in the F.A. Trophy and outstanding win over Woking, following hard-fought victories over Corinthian-Casuals, Blackfield and Langley and AFC Sudbury.
On behalf of my fellow directors and myself I would like to thank all of our volunteers for everything they do for the Club. As I have always maintained, without you we would not have a Football Club.
Therefore, I would like to thank our Club Secretary Phil Whatling, Ground Safety Officer Rob Lee, Chief Steward John McCormack and the team of stewards, Match Day Manager Alan Leeds, our turnstile operator Mark, our gatemen Dave and Ash, our ticket and programme sellers, Vicky, John and Bob, Club Shop managers Alison, Sandra and Rosey, and Tina and her family and Sally and her family for providing excellent hospitality in the Board Room.
I would also like to thank Robert for producing the match day programme, and undertaking the match day announcements and managing the Club website, Jamie, Jon and Taimour for our excellent videoed post-match interviews, Taimour, Jamie, Simon, Rupert and James for their match reports for the website, the Supporters Club Executive Committee for their support including their excellent fundraising efforts and all of the other volunteers who have given up their time to assist us on match days. Please accept my apologies if I have not named you personally or if I have forgotten anyone! We are extremely grateful to each and every one of you.
One other very big thank you to our sponsors - your assistance and support is greatly appreciated. I would particularly like to thank our shirt sponsors, Ben Flatt and his company Grand Openings and director Paul Hayward and our charity partners Sparkle Malawi. I must not forget my fellow directors Mark Anderson and Yioryos Vasilaras for their marketing and sponsorship expertise and fundraising efforts. Last, but certainly not least, I would also like to thank John Bangs for his assistance with our community partners with the Kingston Carers Network and Kingston Young Carers, and for liaising with and supporting our Kingstonian Mind United teams and our charity partners Mind in Kingston.
We will be groundsharing at King George’s Field again next season – whenever that may be - and I would like to thank the Executive Committee and officials of Corinthian-Casuals for making us extremely welcome at King George’s Field during the season. I would particularly like to thank Ground Manager Brian Phillips and Bar Manager Martin Foley for their support and assistance on home match days.
We hope that you and your families can all stay safe during the extended break and come back refreshed and ready for next season. We look forward to seeing you all then.
John Fenwick
