CHAIRMANS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

To all members of the Deal Town Rangers Youth Football Club, parents, committee, managers, referees, assistant coaches and most of all players.

On behalf of Deal Town Rangers Youth Football Club I wish you all a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! As last year I give a quick update on what has happened since the season commenced.

Our 4 new teams at u7 (x2), u8 & u10 are now out and playing every week. Whilst results will be difficult at the commencement of the season we know teams soon pick up, find their own level and the managers see improvements every week. We certainly could do with a few more players for the u7 Colts team, but we are sure that will come.

Once again I stress that its not results but participation that counts and with 21 teams taking part we more than fulfil our ambitions. However, it is always satisfying to mention success on the field of play!

I reported that the u14 Colts team of last season (now u15's) were struggling to find a manager - well they have one now! Emma Wratten from facilitating the team administration, has graduated as manager of a team that has comfortably won every u15 game. Not since Nin Handley hung up her boots have we had a lady manager of a boy's team, so congratulations and well done Emma!

Jake Marsh's u14's team have reached the Cup Final of the East Kent Youth League. A resounding 6-1 win on the Astroturf at Castle last Sunday has set them on their way to a final I expect to be at Deal Town FC. Well done to all the players and coaches. Jake's team are also well placed in the League.

Another of last years strugglers, our u18 Colts, run by Brad Short (a Deal Town 1st team player) and Marc Richards, have also had an almost undefeated season. There are other teams that could be in the final mix in May, but I stress it's the boys and girls participation that really counts.

Whilst mentioning Nin Handley, former manager and our Club Child Welfare Officer has had to call it a day due to pressure of work. Thank you for all your devotion to the club Nin! We are fortunate that Julie Houldsworth, Assistant Club Secretary and a club founder has come forward to take on this vital role, which is an FA Mandatory position in a youth football club. Thank you Julie.

I mentioned the badly placed gate that linked our Castle College pitches and changing rooms with the 3 pitches we now rent at Victoria Park, behind 'Tides' Leisure facility. The gate is now perfectly placed and well used for our u12, u13 & u14 teams although, due to the wet weather, the steps down the slope should be put in place early next year.

With pitch configuration changing next year to accommodate another 5 v 5 pitch and a senior pitch where the Rugby pitch is, we should be in a position to have ALL our home games either at Castle or Victoria Park. We also intend to use the Astro Turf more at weekends now it is become permissible under FA Rules for use in League & cup games.

Our Saturday 'Soccer School' continues to thrive and not only are we likely to have at least one more team for next season, perhaps a second and also a younger girls team. The thriving 'Veterans' team of over 35's are continuing to flourish in the Thanet League. If you are eligible by age and are fit and well wishing to play football, contact manager Mike Drane.

If you can't find the time to help your managers or coaches, or the club in any other way, can I ask you to consider joining our 'Golden Goal' lottery for £4 a month? We hand out nearly £500 in prizes a month and without this money raised would not be able to have funded the 4 new teams with kit and equipment. See the website for membership details and a standing order form.

If you are at Castle College our clubhouse remains open for your use on match and training days, so please use the facilities on these cold days for refreshments We have now had some 20 club members trained to use the Defibrillator in the clubhouse, so we have taken as many measures as we can to safeguard people using our facilities.

I will probably have some more exciting news next year, so please watch this space!

I would like to thank all of you, whatever your role in the club but most of all if you are a player thank you so much for your support and participation, which makes this club what it is and so respected in the in the Deal community.

On behalf of my wife Chris and myself I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Alan Clarke (Club Chairman)