CHAIR COLUMN SACHA LORD

Hello, and welcome to the Hollyhedge Community Stadium for today’s match. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all players, officials and supporters who haveattendedthisafternoon.

What a startto theseason we have had both on and off the pitch. The performance and result last Saturday was fantastic and this was matched off the pitch by the fantastic crowd of 472. It was brilliant to see so many fans in attendance enjoying the facilities we have to offer. It was also great to see so many younger fans present and they add to the fantastic atmosphere throughout the match.

I would also like to thank all of the bar staff and volunteers for all their help both before in the preparation of the ground and during the match to ensure that everything ran as smoothly as possible.

I would also like to thank Gabby for the catering provided, and I know that the menu on offer was a huge hit withallofthefans.

Saturday proved to be a double celebration, as our manager Shane Goldrick and his partner Leanne had become parents earlier in the day with the arrival of Ruari. On behalf of everyone at the club we pass on our massive congratulations to Shane and Leanne and we look forward to welcoming Ruari down to his first match in the near future. The summer has seen some massive changes at the club, and none more so than our announcement that the Women’s first team would be going semi professional for the first time in the club’s history, and this was coupled by the appointment of James Mulvihill as first team manager.

I was delighted to be able to secure James’ appointment given the success he has had at FC United, he was highly sought after. The early signs arethatheisputtingtogether an extremely talented squad which will challenge in all competitions this season, as demonstrated by their 5-2 victory over a Wrexham team that have ambitions to compete in the Champions league.

Finally I would like to thank today’s match sponsor, W.A Maher & Sons and Josh Maher.Josh isa bigsupporter of the club and has generously sponsored the team numerous times over the past seasons. On behalf of the board I would like to thank Josh for his continued support fortheclub and hope he and his guests enjoy today’smatch.

Sacha