As the new season begins, I wanted to send my best
wishes to all our teams for a successful and enjoyable season. We have had the
usual amount of work done on the pitches in the summer, and despite the dry
weather, they are looking absolutely fantastic, and will, I am sure, remain the
envy of sides visiting our ground.

We were able to try them out for the memorial game
in August as part of the celebration of the life of Bob Hitchcock, who
tragically died of a heart problem a couple of months ago. Bob put more than two
decades of effort into the Club as a player, a manager and for many years was
our groundsman, where part of his legacy are the tremendous playing facilities
we now have.

Can I take this opportunity to thank Alan McIlvaney,
Colin Buller, Keith King who have continued the work after Bob - without the aid
of our tractor and mower which were stolen in a burglary at the ground not long
after Bob died. For this season we are having the grass cut by the team who do
our between season maintenance.

The Club is saving up to get improvements to our
watering capability and to replace the stolen tractor and mower. Tracy Airey is
putting her usual vigour into our fundraising work. We need your help to get the
money for these important schemes - so please support our fundraising events -
the first is a Race Night on 19th November.

Obviously we want all our teams to do well, but the
most important thing for the Club is that sportsmanship prevails, and we set
high standards of behaviour on on off the field by both players and spectators.
Can I ask for your help on this too.

Have a great season, with the best club in the world
(apart from Spurs!)

Ian Johnston

Chairman