All,

I am delighted to announce the managers and Captains for our sides for the forthcoming Season as follows:

1^st Team Manager                            Keith Norbury   (Assistant Gary Glennard)

Reserve Team Manager                Richard Goppy  (Assistant Richard Blanchett)

3^rd Team Captain                              Jay Brook

4^th Team Captain                              Gavin Spencer

5^th Team Captain                              Andy Wingfield

6^th Team Captain                              Rob Stewart*

7^th Team Captain                              Mike Kelson*

Vets Captain                                      To be appointed

* To be assisted by Steve Martin-Lawrence

I am delighted that we have retained the services of Keith as first team manager and believe that the season holds much promise for the top of the club following the success of last season.  Hot off the press, I would also like to congratulate Gary Glennard on passing his UEFA Coaching Badge, which I know he has worked hard on, and am delighted that it will benefit our club.  A big welcome to Richards Goppy and Blanche who are well versed in the ways of the club, and have been involved with the reserves for the last few seasons so a seamless transition that will work for all of us.  A big welcome to new captains Jay Brook and Rob Stewart, and thanks to Gav, Andy and Mike for continuing in their roles, although with different sides.

My view is that we have a strong set of captains here who are committed to taking the club forward at all levels, and I am sure that you will all welcome them and give them your full support.  We are keen that they have the backing and support required to do this role, and are keen that Jay, Gav and Andy have a committed assistant to deputise and assist them in the running of their sides, and the Senior Committee will work with them to put this in place.

It would be complacent of me not to recognise the issues we had at the bottom of the club last year, and the difficult task that those captains especially have week in, week out often working tirelessly without much assistance.  Again we are looking to get permanent assistance of the right calibre to both Mike and Rob to make life as easy as we can for them, but feel that we need to have that support right from the start, both to assure them that they have the clubs support, and also to reassure players that all elements of the club are important and we are committed to every side in this club.  Therefore with immediate effect I will be there in the background assisting them in their duties as 6^th and 7^th Team captains and bringing my own long experience of captaincy at all levels to help them.  I hope that in time others will replace me in this capacity, but I would want to reassure all that I will be there for as long as that takes.

A vets team captain will be appointed in due course, and we would be delighted to receive applications from anyone who would like to take this role on.

Congratulations to all of the above, and I am sure that we are all looking forward to you all leading the club into a new successful era.