CHAIRMANS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2018
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 is usual at Christmas I give my update of the year so far since the Annual General Meeting – 6 months is a long time in youth football!
Firstly we have at long last signed a lease with Goodwin Academy! This has been a long time in coming and although we did not get everything we had hoped we were pleasantly surprised at some of the concessions included. However I remain disappointed that the length of the lease, something that I thought we had already secured, was reduced. The repairs to the clubhouse are at last being addressed.
I thank Gareth Scanlon our Treasurer for coming to the meeting with TSAT, the schools company now administrating Goodwin and representatives of Goodwin Academy itself. TSAT had certainly done their homework, having downloaded my AGM report which was highly critical of Goodwin. They ask that I can be more positive on this occasion and I know that they will be reading this report. Other than saying I trust this will be a new beginning there is little I can say at present other than I am looking forwards rather than backwards. I do add the meeting was amiable and productive.
Certainly the final building works at Goodwin have at least made our access much easier and we have available extra parking.
Following on from 2017 when we were able to put 11 managers through an FA Level 1 Course, this year 7 managers have nearly completed the even more prestigious FA Level 2 Course which is a huge step forward for both the managers and the club. Well done Toby Roberts, Matt Burrett, Simon Earl, Dean Osborne, Ryan Prescott, Marc Richards & Del Thomsett
Both our two new u7 teams are doing well and although the 7 Colts are struggling with results that is not as important as their development. We welcome James & Graham as managers of the u7 Rangers & Dan, Cormac and Eddie as the u7 Colts managers.
The Club Committee has changed considerably since last season with Paul White coming in as Club Secretary, Becky Dyer as Development Officer, Charlotte Jefford & Ali Donnelly have jointly taken on the task of Club Welfare Officers and have already taken the two FA Workshops required to qualify for this role.
There has been one change on the club committee, Chris Cannon, u11 Colts manager has taken over as referee secretary.
Paul and his wife Lisa are also taking on the role of organisers of the Presentation nights, Kerry Laker has come on board as organiser of both ‘Fun Day’ and Summer Tournament and the u12 Colts collectively will run the now prestigious Summer Festival, which in the past two years has become such a vital part of our summer activities.
The newcomers have hugely enhanced the committee and I am delighted to be working with them as well as those existing members. Charlotte and Ali have been unusually busy already this season and Becky is working hard on our vital ‘Charter Standard’ Community status, which must be completed before the end of January.
Our relationship with Deal Town FC is progressing, with our adult team now ‘ground-sharing’ at the Charles Ground, although there have been a few recent problems with a fixtures clash.
The Festivals and Presentation Nights have already been booked and we are providing ‘ball boys’ for home games. Steve King, Head Coach at Deal Town FC is also keeping close watch on our older teams to progress players forward where possible.
The ‘lifeblood’ of the club, the Saturday ‘Soccer School’ and ‘Junior Rangers’ are in good hands with Emily Tullis taking on these two vital roles in what is the future of the club. Without these development initiatives the club will die.
I have seen all our 25 teams in action this year except for the veterans, whom I will get around to see later in the season. I am gratified by the enthusiasm of the players and to commitment of our coaches even when results do not always go our way. Our ethos is participation, certainly at the ‘non-competitive’ age groups from u11 downwards.
Our Referee Secretary, Chris Cannon has struggled to cover all games this season and would appreciate anyone willing to take the referee course, or who knows of any ‘under employed’ referees able to come forward to help out at games.
Our Referee Secretary, Chris Cannon has struggled to cover all games this season and would appreciate anyone willing to take the referee course, or who knows of any ‘under employed’ referees able to come forward to help out at games.
Finally in 2019 we will be making our 5th yearly visit since 2015 to our ‘twin town’ of St Omer with our 6th team competing in their prestigious tournament. This has become an annual event and I am looking forward again to going to France with a Deal Town Rangers team.
If you are at Goodwin College our clubhouse remains open for your use on match and training days, so please use the facilities on these cold days for refreshments.
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 by all in the in the Deal community as well as in East Kent football.
On behalf of my wife Chris and myself I wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Alan Clarke (Club Chairman)
