Season 2013/14 News Archive

22/06/2013 - New Name For Kent League
The league AGM has taken place today, and it was agreed by the member clubs that the Kent League will be called the Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL) going forward to reflect the member clubs in recent years competing in the league from outside of the county of Kent. The league constitution could not be formalised because the appeals from Crowborough Athletic and Rye United - who the FA are seeking to switch to the SCEFL from the Sussex League - have yet to be heard. These are scheduled for early July.

News also broke in the Sussex press that Lingfield have offered to take the place of Crowborough in the SCEFL. Ashford United and Phoenix Sports are expected to be confirmed as promoted from the Kent Invicta League when the member clubs for Season 2013/14 is eventually confirmed.

26/06/2013 - New Chairman Appointed
Following the recent 2013 AGM and subsequent appointed committee meeting, Tunbridge Wells Football Club are pleased to confirm that a new chairman has been elected. Clive Maynard is very excited to be taking up the role and can be contacted at any time via chairman@twfcexec.com to answer any questions you may have for him.

15/07/2013 - Cooper Back, Barton Leaves
The Tunbridge Wells’ support at Longmead on Saturday will have spotted a familiar face back in Tunbridge Wells colours. Clayton Cooper is back at Culverden and has agreed to sign, and support The Wells this year.

"Perry Spackman has a slight knock, so it has been good to have a look at Clayton again," Martin Larkin told us. "He is big and powerful, and he fits in great in the changing room. His time is a bit limited for now, with work and a young son, but he will be here for us when we need him this coming season. We should be able to put pen to paper with the new signings this week, so will be able to announce those soon. I can tell you that Jason Barton is no longer with us, however. I would like to thank him for his efforts over the last 12 months.”

17/07/2013 - New Shirt Sponsor
Tunbridge Wells Football Club is delighted to announce that Tunbridge Wells Hyundai will be the club's new shirt sponsor for the coming season. The official launch party details are still to be finalised, but the deal is described by the club's Chairman, Clive Maynard as "good for the Club and good for our Supporters".

Visit Tunbridge Wells Hyundai at http://www.hyundai.co.uk/dealer/tunbridge-wells

12/08/2013 - Martin Larkin Interview
Tunbridge Wells got their league campaign off to a winning start at home to Fisher, and in a season with high expectations a 3-0 win played out in front of more than 250 people will have ensured the majority left Culverden enthused about things to come. The Wells weren’t the only ones living up to their billing, however. Plenty of good words have been said about Cray Valley PM from what has been seen of them in pre-season, with several of people tipping them for a strong season in the Southern Counties East Football League this season. They currently top the early table on alphabetical merit, having also won 3-0 – so Larkin’s side will face a stiff test of character on Tuesday night when the two sides meet at Badger's Sports ground.

Manager Martin Larkin has added some new faces to the squad over the summer that he preferred to keep under wraps until the season’s curtain raiser was out of the way. Joining the club is Lee Radford, Billy Shinners, and Sean Johnson returns after a brief spell with the club previously.

“Lee has joined us from Redhill and slotted straight in, on Saturday,” Larkin explained. “He won the Sussex League there last year, scoring 16 goals from out wide and he looks to be a real find. He knows all the boys, so it’s a good addition – especially bearing in mind we are looking to bring in people that will work with the close-knit atmosphere we’ve been building here.

“Billy Shinners has joined us with a big reputation from his time at Sevenoaks and VCD. He has a slight thigh problem at the moment, but if we get him fit he will definitely add competition for places. And Sean Johnson had a very brief spell at the club two years ago and has been really good in the middle with Joe Fuller. Again, he already knows the boys so he’s fitted in well.”

Larkin adds that he’s speaking to one other possible addition, but that it’s a ‘slow-burner’ for the time being. “The crowd is a massive selling point for us when trying to bring players in - so seeing over 250 come through the gate on Saturday was fantastic.” That gate - as Larkin tweeted over the weekend – was only beaten in one game in either Ryman League Division 1, North or South.

14/08/2013 - Kent Senior Cup Draw
Having won last season's Kent Senior Trophy, Tunbridge Wells take their place in the Kent Senior Cup this season, and – having received a Bye in the First Round - landed a draw away to last season's Kent League runners-up VCD Athletic in the Second Round. "I imagine VCD, like ourselves, were hoping for one of the big league clubs in the draw but that wasn’t to be,” commented Martin Larkin. “I am more disappointed that we cannot defend our Kent Senior trophy which we worked so hard to win. That seems an unfair decision - but again we accept it and move on."

04/09/2013 - Wembley Hero Emigrates
August was Josh Stanford’s final full-month at the club and he made his final bow in the FA Cup replay at Whitstable Town this week. A popular player at Culverden, Stanford’s name will forever be remembered following his goal that sent 12,000 supporters into raptures at Wembley in the FA Vase Final when he briefly levelled the game against Spennymoor in May. However, to limit memory of his contribution to the club to that solitary moment would be an injustice. First team boss Martin Larkin agrees.

“Josh has been great - he will obviously go down in Tunbridge Wells’ folklore for his Wembley goal, but his performances the whole way through the Vase run were exceptional and we are gutted to be losing him as he has been the best player on either team in all our games so far this season.

“Josh and I only ever had cross words once - when I subbed him away at Shildon last year - but he was intelligent enough to understand that the team comes first, and he will be a great success in the next stage of his career. He is off to Australia to coach (and hopefully play) out there. He is fed up, he tells me, of coaching in the rain here! I am sure he will be back one day, and when he is, he’s always welcome back with us.”

16/09/2013 - New Signings
Two new names appeared in the Tunbridge Wells line-up at Eastbourne Town - one of which, Ian Parsons, marked his debut with a goal even though he only came on as an 88th minute substitute for Jon Pilbeam. Joe Thomas was also on the bench but didn't get a run-out on this occasion. "Ian is a wide player and a local lad who has been playing for Kent County League outfit Hawkenbury," first team boss Martin Larkin revealed. "He's another example of good links with local clubs and of local talent being given the chance. The smile on his face after the game knowing he'd just scored in the FA Cup was there for all to see.

"Joe Thomas is another local player who, although he didn't play this week, has been training with us since the start of the season."

10/10/2013 - McMath Returns To Culverden
When he left Culverden at the end of last season, it was a given that Andy McMath would always be welcome back at The Wells after his immense contribution to the club over the past four seasons. A firm favourite with players and fans, Andy married in the summer and set off for Australia to find employment down-under. However, limited job opportunities brought about a quicker-than-expected return, and now Tunbridge Wells are delighted to announce that he re-joins the club.

Andy's been keeping himself sharp for the past few month playing, and finding the net in Northern Ireland for Valley Rangers (currently second in Mid-Ulster Football League B), but now he's back in England and ready to pick up where he left off with The Wells.

"We're delighted to have Macca back," Martin Larkin remarked. "We have to go through the necessary international clearances as he has been playing in Northern Ireland. He will add good competition in the middle of the park."

16/10/2013 - Ebbsfleet Coming to Culverden
The draw for the Kent Senior Cup Quarter Final has taken place and gives Tunbridge Wells a home match with Ebbsfleet United of the Conference South - Tuesday, November 19, KO 7.45pm. "We wanted a big team at home and we certainly have that in Ebbsfleet," Martin Larkin told us. "They have a big backing and at the outset were one of the favourites for their league so it will be a massive test and give both the fans and the players a great indicator to the differences between steps 5 and 2!"

21/10/2013 - Livewire Returns
Ross Cable has returned to Tunbridge Wells having previously enjoyed a successful stint at Culverden during Mike Robbins' tenure as manager. During his last spell at the club he scored 22 goals in 36 appearances. "Ross has asked to re-join us and I’m not going to say 'no' to someone of his undoubted quality," said first team boss Martin Larkin (who was Robbins' assistant during Cable's previous tenure). "We are blessed up top with some excellent forwards, and he will compliment them. If we can get him to the level he was at when he was first with the club then we really will have some selection headaches on match days!"

21/10/2013 - FA Vase Draw
The road to Wembley begins again for Tunbridge Wells in the FA Vase - and the Second Round Draw made this lunchtime by the FA gave The Wells a home game with near neighbours Crowborough Athletic. "This is absolutely massive for local football - this is the draw we wanted," first team boss Martin Larkin enthused on receiving the news from us. "You’d hope with it being our first Vase game since Wembley, and with it being - I imagine - our first competitive game with Crowborough the gate could be close to a record. We’d certainly hope for 1,000+. For local football to have a game of this magnitude, it's fantastic."

Crowborough currently sit sixth in the Sussex County League Division One and as if this game needs any more window dressing, they will bring some former Culverden heroes with them when they visit - including Jason Barton and Alex Rich. They are equally excited about the prospect of this tie, outlining on their website that while Tunbridge Wells will be favourites in most peoples' eyes, "our young players have shown this season they fear no one and will be looking forward to travelling in to Kent and proving the bookies wrong. All our players will want to prove themselves against fancied opposition and it makes for a fascinating game for us all to look forward to."

22/10/2013 - Harris Accepts New Challenge
It is with both excitement and pride that Martin Larkin confirmed Jack Harris has today agreed contract terms with Ryman Premier League leaders Maidstone United and will be signing contracts at their training session tonight. "I’ve known about it for a couple of days," Larkin told us, "and jay Saunders has been great at Maidstone. I spoke to Jack at length and we set out the pros and cons of both teams. Reluctantly Jack has decided that it is time for him to test himself at that level. Offers like this one do not come around very often and there was no guarantee it would come again.”

Jack first trained with the first team at Tunbridge Wells when he was 15 and has grown into a firm crowd favourite as well as being a very popular member of the changing room. He went on to score 51 goals in 112 starts for the club.

"He will be massively missed, but we have had plans in place for the last 12 months as we knew this day would come - so we will be addressing the situation," Larkin added. "On a personal note, Jack has been a pleasure to work with. He has an undoubted talent that belongs at a higher level and myself, Brad and the players are very excited about this opportunity. His goal in the 122nd minute down at Larkhall in the FA Vase last year can be only beaten by Perry Spackman’s winner at Shildon as my favourite football moment of all time.”

28/10/2013 - Duo Sign For Wells
Two players were handed debuts for Tunbridge Wells on Saturday. Billy French has joined on dual-registration forms from Maidstone United where he has been a part of their U21 academy side, and was on the fringe of the first team squad during pre-season. French made a substitute appearance for The Wells at Ashford on Saturday, coming on for Ross Cable for the final 20 minutes.

Jack Funnell made the starting line-up at Ashford and is a local player who was on the books at Tonbridge and who has shown plenty of promise, representing Kent at U16 and U18 level.

17/11/2013 – 1,242 Thank Yous!
The FA Carlsberg Vase will always be special to Tunbridge Wells because of last year’s exploits but yesterday, the support was exceptional from both sets of supporters. Crowborough, fought valiantly contributing to an evenly-balanced game which I trust everyone enjoyed. On behalf of Tunbridge Wells Football Club I would like to take the opportunity to wish Crowborough Athletic Football Club all the very best for the rest of the season. As for ourselves, we can look forward to Monday’s draw, the game against Ebbsfleet on Tuesday and then back in league action on Saturday.

I would also like to express my thanks to what is now becoming a small army of helpers who made yesterday such a success, without you, Tunbridge Wells Football Club could not continue our journey.

Clive Maynard - Chairman

03/12/2013 - From The Chair: Clive Maynard Interview
Clive Maynard replaced Joe Croker as club chairman during the summer and was instantly tasked with leading a successful club forward. There have been some noticeable
changes around the club since he arrived and many other, less noticeable changes.

Now, having had several months to settle into the role we caught up with him to see how things are going.

TWFC: Clive, how did you come to take over the Chairman’s role at The Wells?

CM: I actually offered to work with Harvey Gifford on the commercial side of things initially. I was invited for a chat and beer with Harvey and John Milton after Joe Croker had resigned - we were sitting, talking about the club and whether I still wanted to be involved?

I said ‘yes’, honestly believing that something commercial was on the cards, but I never thought for one minute that the whole purpose of the meeting from two of the three attendees was to ask me to be Chairman. The rest, as they say, is history. Here I am!

TWFC: You came into the club on the back of the most successful season for the club for many years. With that in mind, what were your short-term priorities when you took up the chairman’s reins, and how have you seen these come to fruition in the opening months of this season?

CM: It was always going to be difficult taking over from Joe Croker, regardless of which season it happened. Joe did a fantastic job leaving the Club in a much stronger position than he found it in. Much of the strategy for the Club was already in place so continuity of direction was important.

I agreed with where the Club was looking to head and how we thought we could get there so in some respects it was just a new figure-head, not a change of aims that occurred.

The short-term presented us all with huge challenges: clubhouse refurbishment; a Beer Festival; a Boardroom revamp - the list was endless. The Clubhouse was finished literally with minutes to spare ahead of the first home game of the season. The boardroom coat of paint and tidy has been done, the beer festival was a terrific event (good beers, great music and fantastic weather). We learnt a few lessons on marketing here, but would we do it again knowing what we do now? Yes we would, and yes we will!

TWFC: The club has made no secret of the fact it’s aiming for promotion this year. Can you tell us about the plans in place to get the ground up to scratch (as well as other aspects of readying things for Step 4) - along with an approximate timeline for completion of the various works?

CM: Promotion has been, and remains the aim for this season although it is not going to be the end of the world if it doesn’t happen this year. The infrastructure of the Club has to be right, and yes we do have things to do to get the ground ready should we gain promotion.

Harvey who has driven this project forward has worked so hard to ensure that everything is in place that needs to be. It sounds ridiculous, but just try getting answers out of the Footballing bodies about what actually is required and what help is available - it is like getting blood out of a stone!

The amount of hours that have been spent going down this route is incredible. However, we are on track, we have an agreement in principle from the Football Foundation for a grant to cover 50% of the cost for the fencing and new turnstiles. We are working on a tactical solution for the Referee’s Changing Rooms which will buy us time to incorporate the ultimate aim of replacing all of the changing rooms into the second phase of the Strategic Plan.

We expect works to begin in January with completion by early February, subject to planning permission being granted in a timely manner.

TWFC: A growing commercial aspect to the club, as well as increasing links with the local community have become evident. What are your ambitions regarding strengthening local ties with the club?

CM: Football Clubs, regardless of size, are now all businesses - albeit ones that just about break-even if you are lucky! Tunbridge Wells FC had to place greater emphasis on the commercial side to have any chance of achieving our goals. We are trying to include all local businesses and individuals that want to be part of the vision. We simply cannot survive on gate money alone, so we have had to explore all avenues that can generate us an income.

The Shop, the Advertising Boards the Shirt Sponsorship - all are now beginning to generate income for the Club. We will continue the drive to extend our commercial activities in the New Year to where I would like to be with budgets set and targets hit - all by the end of May so I can go away for a break knowing that next season is sorted with a small surplus for emergencies!

We will be looking to cement the existing relationships that we have now, and develop new ones for the future. The interest is out there - it is just generating the enthusiasm for the Club amongst the community that needs work!

TWFC: Speaking of local community, what’s the relationship between the club and the council like at the moment?

CM: Joe Croker had spent a lot of time building the relationship with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and we continue to have an excellent relationship with the Council. Obviously we do not agree on everything, nor would I expect us to.

They know the vision, and believe it or not on certain aspects of this they are saying to us “Come on, when are you going to get moving on this part of it?” On other parts we are pushing them for answers. There are a lot of Football Clubs around the country that would dream of the relationship we have with TWBC and trust me this is a serious statement.

TWFC: So overall, you’ve been in the hot-seat for about five months now. How have you enjoyed your time there so far?

CM: You have to enjoy it or you couldn’t do the job. That’s my view of things. At the moment I am having a ball - but that is made easy by all the help I get. Not many people realise, but to stage a game at Culverden we actually need around twenty people. It sounds a lot and not all of the roles are for the full ninety minutes - some take more time, some take less but it really is that many people.

I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who helps, no matter to what extent. Without these people Tunbridge Wells FC would not survive. To me we are all about ‘Team Tunbridge Wells’: Martin and the Team; The Committee and I; the Match Day Team; the Ground staff; and of course our fantastic supporters!

If we all stick together we will achieve our aims and ambitions and hopefully all of us will enjoy the journey, wherever that may take us...

13/12/2013 - Beecroft Joins
Tunbridge Wells FC are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Jake Beecroft from Ryman League outfit Folkestone Invicta. Martin Larkin has long been an admirer of Beecroft and is understandably delighted to have landed his latest signing.

"We're extremely excited to confirm that all the paperwork has been completed and Jake Beecroft is now a Tunbridge Wells player," he revealed. "Jake fits our bill as a local lad - he walked to training last night! He has undoubted talent and experience from the level he has been playing, and we are very lucky to have him in that his work situation has changed and with a baby on the way it made travelling to Folkestone difficult for him. Neil Cugley has been great to him and released him from his contract and we have been able to benefit."

Beecroft was on the books at Rushden & Diamonds before they went into administration, working his way through the youth system into the first team set-up to play in the Conference before leaving to join Tonbridge and help them to promotion into the Conference South. He has since also played for Whitstable Town and Folkestone.

"Jake adds a serious amount of quality to our squad and hopefully will give the guys the boost they need after a tough couple of weeks," Larkin added. "Jake comes straight into the squad and I hope you will all welcome him to the club at Saturdays home game with Rochester."

12/02/2014 - Stanford's Aussie Career
A new chapter has just opened up for Josh after he received international clearance to play football in Australia for Albany Creek Excelsior. “It’s an interesting one actually,” he told us. “I received a message on Twitter from Gavin Cogdon who scored against us for Spennymoor at Wembley after he saw I was going to Australia. He put me in touch with Ben Ryan who he knew from back home and was managing Albany Creek. Ben messaged me and said he wanted me to come to Brisbane. At that point I was thinking that Sydney would be my preferred destination, but things changed and I eventually decided to go to Brisbane and I played for Albany Creek on my first day there.

“They play in the Brisbane Premier League, and the style of football is very different to back home - the pitches play a big part in that! They really put emphasis on keeping the ball and playing on the ground, which suits me. However the intensity is not as high and the game is not so physical here. Having said that, I’ve already got injured and will miss the first game of the season!

“I want to play football at the highest level of my capability, and I want to do new things - achieve personal goals… It’s a new chapter in my life and I’m excited at the challenges that lie ahead.”

21/03/2014 - Larkin Reinforces
Martin Larkin has acted to strengthen his squad for the business end of the season by signing Rhys Lawson and Elliot Everson – both of whom can play up front or on the wing.

Everson who returns to Culverden having previously played for the club between 2006 and 2008 made 43 appearances (26 starts) and scored 9 goals in his previous stint with the club. In fact he was a team-mate of current assistant boss, Brad Sandeman, and featured when Martin Larkin was assistant manager to Mike Robins. Matches featuring all three included a brace for Everson (on as a sub) in a 7-0 demolition of Croydon. He left after receiving a scholarship in the U.S. “Elliot’s been coaching in the states after playing at University, and we welcome him back to the club,” Larkin told us.

Lawson was playing at Lordswood until Simon Halsey left the club last weekend and also has plenty of Ryman League experience, having joined the Lords from Hythe Town last Autumn. Prior to Hythe, he played for Faversham, Herne Bay and Ramsgate. In fact it was during his time with Bay that he played alongside Andy Irvine which is ultimately the connection that put Larkin in touch.

“He will play in a forward role, but all our wide players have the ability to interchange - so the addition of Rhys to the side will be exciting to see,” Larkin explained. “His Ryman League experience, coupled with his pace, power and overall quality will add real competition to our wide players and centre forwards.”

08/05/2014 - Commercial Director Appointed
Tunbridge Wells Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of their new Commercial Director, Terry Exall. Chairman, Clive Maynard says " I have been looking to fill this position for some time. It was important that we got the right person and I believe that Terry has all the attributes that we were looking for. Terry will be responsible for developing new relationships within Tunbridge Wells and also cementing the existing relationships that we have with our Commercial partners. This position is absolutely critical to the on-going development of Tunbridge Wells Football Club."

Anyone interested in commercial opportunities at Tunbridge Wells Football Club can contact Terry by e-mail commercial@twfcexec.com or by phone on 07841-023032.

16/05/2014 - SCEFL 2014/15
The following news appeared on the SCEFL website, confirming that we will compete in a League of 20 clubs next season, including the mouth-watering prospect of two competitive derby matches against our neighbours from just across the county border.

The new season will commence on Saturday 9th August. The FA Cup Extra Preliminary round is on Saturday 16th August. The FA Vase gets under way on Saturday 6th September.

The FA Leagues Committee met on Thursday 15th May and decided that Erith & Belvedere are to be allocated to SCEFL at step 5 (welcome back to them) while Whyteleafe are confirmed as promoted to the Ryman Isthmian South (Best wishes for a successful season to them). The Leagues Committee also decided that Crowborough Athletic, and Lingfield from the Sussex County League and Croydon from the Combined Counties League will all be moved across to play in SCEFL next season.

Nothing specific has been said about Woodstock Sports but it has been said that there will be no promotion from the Kent Invicta League this time around and it is also stated that all step 5 leagues now have a minimum of 20 clubs which would suggest Woodstock are remaining in our League.

21/05/2014 - Chairman's End of Season Report
I thought it appropriate to share with you my view of how the 2013/14 Season went. I would grant myself the ‘could do better’ rating - which is not to say that we as a Club have not made progress, because I genuinely believe that we have taken strides forward, both on and off the pitch. You can never stand still, though, and I am a great believer in looking forward rather than back.

That said a lot has been done at the club, and here is a brief reminder of what has been achieved and what remains to be done...

Bar and Clubhouse

Done
* New bar and redecoration of the Clubhouse
* Outsourcing of catering
* Introduction of Premiership games on the televisions
* Opening of the Club Shop

To Do
* New furniture to be acquired
* Toilets, shop and entrance hall to be decorated.
* External west wall to be repaired.

Ground

Done
* Turnstiles upgraded
* Fencing perimeter of the ground completed.
* Officials changing rooms extended.
* Changing rooms decorated.
* Boardroom decorated (temporary fix).
* Concreting around the toilets of the east stand completed.
* Miscellaneous concreting for Ground Grading inspection
* Directors Box amendments to satisfy Ground Grading inspection
* Stadium signage upgraded

To Do:
- Immediate
* Stadium yellow lineage to be re-painted
* Boardroom re-decorated inside and out
* Changing room shower facilities to be upgraded
* Electrical works various
* Changing rooms re-decorated as necessary following shower and extension works.
* Toilets behind the East Stand decorated inside and out.

- Strategic
* 3G Pitch
* Re-surfacing of the car park
* Grass area behind the South Terrace replaced with tarmac
* Cover over the South Terrace
* New changing rooms
* West Stand
* New floodlights

Attendances
Our gates have shown an increase for the third year in a row and we have averaged 312 per home game this year. The support that we have received has been immense not just at home but away from home as well. We have tried running coaches to away games this year with mixed results but generally the support is there, our marketing of the coaches needs to improve markedly.

Website
Our website is at best functional and as such the Committee has sanctioned the build of a new website. TWFC are heavily indebted to Craig Methven. Craig is a supporter who has very generously donated his time free of charge to build the new website. The new site is scheduled to go live on the 30 June 2014.

Lease Extension
The negotiations for a Lease extension are now at an advanced stage with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. I am hopeful that we will be in a position to sign the documents for the lease later in the summer. Until the Lease is secured the program of strategic ground improvements cannot be progressed.

Appointments
The appointment of Terry Exall, our new Commercial Director, is essential to the on-going development of TWFC. To facilitate the Strategic Program we will need to increase our income flows. Terry has the brief to cement existing and develop new relationships in the Town and surrounding areas.

If you or the Company that you work for are interested in sponsoring TWFC in any way then please e-mail commercial@twfcexec.com or telephone 07841023032.

Another critical appointment had to be made to the Committee and that was the appointment of a Treasurer. I am delighted to welcome on board Helen Tickner. Helen is currently studying for the final part of the ACCA examinations. Helen has been pouring over the accounts and we are busy finalising the budgets for the coming season.

Ground Grading
The recent Ground Grading highlighted a series of issues where the ground was deficient for Ryman League football. I am delighted to tell you that every single item on the report that required action has been actioned. Requirements seem to change year by year but as of the visit this year we are fully compliant with the regulations that will enable Ryman Football to be played at the Culverden Stadium.

Management Team
Martin Larkin and the rest of the management team did a sterling job on the pitch. Once again we have bettered the previous season’s league finish. Martin and the Team have been given targets for the coming season and they are busy assembling the squad to ensure that the targets are met.

Martin has given me a glimpse of his plans and if all comes to fruition then I am sure when you see the Team next season you will be as excited as I am now!

Pitch Works
The pitch has benefited from the investment made in the summer of 2013. The appalling winter made it difficult to judge if we lost less games to the weather as a result of the work completed. The Club is indebted to the Ground Staff who worked so hard this year to keep the ball rolling, literally! The Committee has sanctioned more work on the pitch this close season (updates will be forthcoming) and hopefully we will see an improvement year-on-year.

Communications
I have tried to improve communications within Tunbridge Wells Football Club and feel that I have only really scratched the surface in what I am trying to achieve. I am hopeful that the new website will provide the perfect platform to improve communications between all parties involved with TWFC.

Please feel free to contact me with any ideas on how to improve this area, and as always please give me feedback either negative or positive on how things are at present.

Volunteers
This season has seen a significant increase in the help that we receive on match days. To host the Crowborough game we had nearly thirty people on duty at the Culverden. If you would like to help out on match days then please do not hesitate to contact me or any other member of the Management Committee.

AGM
The AGM this year is being delayed so that Members can vote on the final set of accounts. As our Company year does not end until the 30 June, the earliest I expect the AGM to be held is mid-August.

In Closing
Remember to keep an eye open for news of how Martin is getting on with the playing side. Also, the pre-season friendlies won’t be that long and this year you will be able to watch England in the World Cup at the Clubhouse. We will be open for every England game.

I would like to thank everyone, Sponsors, Advertisers, Helpers, Committee, Supporters, The Courier and my family for helping me over the last season, this Club is getting bigger and the management of it a greater challenge as the weeks progress.

As for my personal position if you wish me to continue as Chairman I am happy to do so. All that is left for me to do is wish you all a wonderful summer, see you all next season.

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