Newsletter - March 2021
Well, spring is here and after a painful lockdown, it looks like we will be back playing from 29th March.
As long as the Government see a continued reduction in Covid cases this is the date we have been given. I know most of the managers have arranged friendly games already so hopefully everyone has kept fit during the lockdown.
So since the last Newsletter in January what’s been happening? Well, the answer is simple; an awful lot. First and foremost I am delighted to tell you all that at long last we have a club bank account. On March the 5th Nat West Bank confirmed that are account application was successful.
Nat West Bank Details:
Name of Account: Southport Athletic Junior Football Club
Sort Code: 60-20-11
Account Number: 44647662
Therefore please ensure all future payments made to the club for subs, registration fees etc. are paid into this account. Also please be advised that no future cash payments will be accepted by your managers all payments must be through the bank and clearly referenced. This provides total clarity for all payments being made and takes the pressure off the manager having to collect money. After all, he’s there to coach football.
Amongst other things, this means we can now start actively seeking funding/grants from various bodies which will allow us to establish a firm footing within the local footballing community. Who knows we may have our own ground and clubhouse one day, which is the ambition of everyone at SAJFC.
Just like to say a big thank you to Matthew Lawson for putting us in touch with the bank, as no banks were interested in new accounts during the lockdown.
So what else have we been doing during the last month?
We have organised a trophy presentation day for Saturday the 24th July at the Southport Rugby club on Waterloo Road. Full details will be sent out nearer the time but please make a note in your diaries. We would hope that every player and their families will come along and support the club and the players.
We have been sourcing new Orange away tops for the teams and most teams now have these tops. There are still a couple of teams to sort out but, we’re nearly there.
From the end of the current lockdown we welcome a new under 7’s team into the Craven Minor League and once again good luck to Chris Mooney. The kids all have a new strip in keeping with the new club colours and I know they’re all excited about the prospect of playing competitive football at long last.
In addition to Chris’s under 7 team we also have a new group of under 7’s starting next season and they are already being prepared. They will be coached by Ian Slater and Scott Williams so a big thank you to them. Without volunteer coaches, there is no football. Good luck with the training guys and look forward to watching your team play next season.
We haven’t had any more committee meetings this month but we are hopeful that soon we will be able to hold full meetings and to organise an AGM. Once we can hold an AGM it is likely we will be looking for one or two parents to sit on the committee to represent parents. If this is something you might be interested in please let us know.
You will no doubt have seen in the recent press that the Police have now charged a man and wife couple for offences relating to missing monies from Phoenix football club. This is all we can comment on at the moment but, we will keep you updated on any further news regarding this matter.
Wembley Here We Come!
Well, that’s not quite true? Read on.
For those of you who don’t know are Club Treasurer Peter Clarke and his teammates at Tranmere Rovers reached the final of the Football League trophy. They visited Oxford United, of Division One, in the Semifinals and won 2-0. Now they play Sunderland in the final at Wembley on Sunday the 14th March. The final is on Sky TV with KO at 3-00 pm.
Unfortunately, the game will be played in an empty stadium due to the continued Covid restrictions. It would have been nice to take all the kids to watch this at Wembley☹☹.
Never mind they are also doing very well in the league and unless they get an automatic promotion (which I sincerely hope they do) we may be able to go to Wembley to watch them in the playoffs. Best wishes to Peter and Tranmere in the final and fingers crossed Sunderland won’t be lucky “ Black cats” 🤣🤣
Hopefully, you all agree that the future’s looking brighter for the continued lifting of Covid restrictions and for our club but remember, we’re not out of this yet so keep staying safe. Looking forward to seeing you all again when the season restarts.
Please If you would like to post anything in our newsletter or, have any questions, please feel free to email me at alanmccoombe05@gmail.com