Well - that’s another season down - our ninth season as a football club and things just keep on progressing. Let’s have a look back at the season just gone…
The first team have had a difficult season. We struggled to keep a settled XI together over the year and as a result our performances were disappointingly hit and miss, however we started to come strong towards the end of the season and if we could have found that form earlier I strongly believe we would have been fighting for a play-off spot but definitely a top ten finish. Overall it was 12th place in the end and I couldn’t be more proud of the lads especially bringing through some of the younger players who have learnt a lot from the senior players and can only go on to progress next season with many who will still be knocking on the door of the first team as they establish themselves into the Under 21’s.
A big thank you to my coaching team and a huge thanks to our matchday helpers who have kept things ticking over making match days so much more easy as everyone has their job and gets on with it which is a huge help to the club every week both home and away.
One big disappointment was to see our Development side drop out of the league. We had some good lads playing for that side and they were doing well in the league at the time that the management left, but with so many players deciding to leave the club at the time and the costs associated with hosting games at that level we had no alternative but to resign from the league and call it a day, however it was made less painful with the Under 21’s looking so strong and as I mentioned earlier, so many of them stepping up to the plate into the first team which is testament to the hard work that Dave Lawson, Martin Woodhead and Scott Lee put in across the season and I can only see them getting stronger next season with some fresh blood in there and players continuing to mature as we seem to forget that some of those lads playing Under 21 football are only just turning 17/18 years of age which I find amazing. We have a bright future ahead of us.
Our Ladies had a torrid season, Stu Goodall has done a great job despite the lack of resources he has had. Only being able to take a bare XI to games at times this season has taken it’s toll but the Ladies stuck at it and got some crucial results towards the end of the season to make sure they finished is a strong position. We will be looking to strengthen the squad over the summer and give Stu the support to ensure he has a headache in having too many players to fill the starting XI and bench but more on that at a later date.
Then it’s onto the old lads - our Veterans. Success in the Notts FA Veterans Cup puts more silverware in the cabinet this season after a double last season. They fell just short of the title by one point as Total Reclaim Demolitions won the league. The group of lads we have in that squad are immense and I sometimes look at the way they play and I am sure some could still do a job for us as first team players! They are one big unit and close both on and off the pitch which is great to see with the banter as sharp as it was when we were playing together years ago. Dave Lawson has done a fantastic job again this season and I can't wait to get back to it when we start 2024/25!
Our juniors keep going from strength to strength. We have 19 junior teams with more already looking to come to us next season. The developments at the Juniors ground are amazing - the fencing makes such a difference and can only be a good thing as we ensure our kids have a fun and safe space to play. Over 230 registered players and more who attend the soccer schools shows that we are a driving force within the area for youth football and it shows with the success of many of the teams in both boys and girls football. A big thank you to Pep Leone, Dean Anderson, Jonathan Saxton and especially Hayley Turner for all the hard work and dedication they put into the juniors with all the trials and tribulations of youth football to contend with - and not forgetting the managers, coaches and parents who are there week in week out supporting their children and supporting the club. It doesn’t go unnoticed.
Finally, a huge thank you to our committee. They have been my rock over the last year and where we have had our challenges, we have got past them and are all moving in the right direction. The work they do behind the scenes is immeasurable and I know I can pick the phone up at any time and they will be there for me. A strong committee is the bedrock of any football club and we have something stronger than most and for that I am so grateful.
As a Chairman I stand back and look at what we have both in terms of facilities and teams and have to say I am humbled as the vision that myself and Kev Swannack had back in 2015 is certainly coming to fruition. The ground is unrecognisable to what it was back in 2018 when we came here and next time you are going over the bridge, have a look across and you’ll see more things happening over the summer. A huge thank you to Chris Sly and Scott Lee for their unwavering support to what is happening at this club and the input they have to make this one of the best facilities in the area.
The new hospitality room is taking shape and will be ready for pre season along with new pathways around the ground, pitch side fencing and new floodlights. The whole area around the snack cabin is being tidied up and will look amazing.
Looking ahead to next season we have a huge pre-season game against a Manchester United XI which will be a memorable afternoon for everyone involved, then we move into a new league which I am excited about as we face some new teams and visit some new grounds. We are already planning for next season with some big announcements due in the coming weeks as we start recruiting for key roles on the playing side.
I am so proud to be Chairman, and proud to be a Retfordian who can see this club is moving forward in the right way. I get told by a lot of people around town what a great job we are doing as a club and as I always say, our ethos has always been to grow and nurture local talent which we have done and will continue to do.
Thank you everyone for your support over the last year - I hope to see you all again for the new season and in the meantime have an excellent summer break!
Woody
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