Newsletter - New Year 2021

On behalf of all the club managers and committee, we wish every one of you a Happy New year and surely this year cannot be any worse than 2020.🤞🤞

Unfortunately, the season restart didn’t last long before we were all back in lockdown and sitting at home wishing we were stood in the rain and wind watching our kids play football. Rumour has it that Grassroots will be back as soon as schools re-open, which is anticipated early in March. I do hope so as I don’t think I can sit at home watching Coronation Street much longer ☺. Seriously, although we’re not playing, the club Committee/Managers have been keeping busy in readiness for the re-start whenever that will be. So what’s been happening?

• Due to the demand of under 7-year-olds wanting to play football a second under 7’s team has been set up and is being managed by Chris Mooney, who also manages the under 13’s. unfortunately, lockdown arrived before they could play their first game in January, Good luck to Chris and the team going forward.

• Just before Xmas some of the managers and younger players set up a stand at Ferryside offering a Christmas card, mince pies and a glass of Port to dog walkers and residents. This was done as a PR exercise and overall was reasonably successful. Although we were not fundraising a total of £50 was donated to the club by the residents and walkers.

• During the current lockdown, Paul and Ben have been doing training / keep fit classes twice a week via Zoom calls which have been well received by those joining in. I’ve participated in odd exercises with Pauls class, along with the whole of my family. Personally, I think I’m the only one who didn’t enjoy them. For those who like serious pain log on to Ben’s classes. Even if you don’t like exercise Paul’s class is very humorous with Eddie Thompson entertaining us all throughout. Also, Martyn has been sending out videos for training during the lockdown.

• At long last, we have been able to apply for a Bank account with The NatWest and hopefully, we should know if we’ve been successful by the end of February.

• We managed to organise a committee meeting on the 28th January, again using Zoom. Due to time limitations on Zoom, the meeting was about an hour. The meeting was well attended and the following matters were discussed.

A.       Club Finances including Income, expenditure and current bank balance. See below for updated income and expenditure.

B.       Annual subs collection and continued suspension of subs until we’re back playing.

C.       New away kits. It is hoped by the start of next season all teams will have an away top. The colour is Orange as voted for last May,

D.       It is hoped that all coaching staff will achieve level 1 FA coaching. For existing managers, this will be paid for by the club. Any new incoming managers approved by the club will have to sign an undertaking that they stay with the club for at least one full season in order to obtain free funding.

That was the meeting in brief.

What else is going on?

Martin Sarbutt from Ben’s under 7’s and club Covid officer has set up a boot room.

He is collecting football boots that are no longer suitable to use Eg. They are too small for your child. The idea is to allow parents to get boots for their children at no cost, although we will advise a small donation to the club can be made if they wish to do so. If you have any boots you don’t want please get in touch with your manager or the club and we will take them off your hands. I know the younger children hardly get any wear out of boots and kits, as they grow so fast.

Below is the clubs latest financial statement.

Again I find myself saying that hopefully next month we will be back playing and training.

Just a reminder, if you, or anyone one you know, are in need of help at this time please let us know. We are a community club and as such, wish to help anyone in need during these difficult times, in any way we can.

Take care everyone and stay safe.

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 I’m desperate to publish something Cheerful.