Good evening and welcome to Hayden Road for our first midweek fixture of the new Pitching-In Southern League season. We are pleased, as always, to welcome the players, management, officials and supporters from Hitchin Town FC and hope you all enjoy your short stay with us.

Hopefully, you will all be aware by now that we have recently taken on the role of Joint Chair of the Club for the season and we would like to take this opportunity to give you all a bit of background information on the process. When Ralph made his decision to step down from the Club Board, bound by our constitution we started what turned out to be a lengthy and rigorous process to find a suitable replacement. We also took advice from our friends at AFC Wimbledon and advertised for expressions of interest. We subsequently interviewed several promising candidates. The pool was large and some were filtered early and others took more time for discussion. As mentioned at the AGM some weeks ago the process left us with two candidates and various options. The Board discussed these two candidates at length and, through further discussion with both, it became very clear that we were not going to be able to come to a decision in time for the start of the new season. Under League and, more importantly, FA rules every Club must have a Chair in order to operate and so, we discussed the idea of working together as Joint Chair for this season. We put that option to our fellow Board members last week and following a vote, we find ourselves in new and unchartered territory which is very exciting for us and we believe for the club as well

The Board is as passionate about our football club as you are and our aim is to drive the Club forwards this season. We aim to re-engage with members, supporters, players, sponsors and local residents and businesses. We will also push on with the New Home Project, which was delayed because of the pandemic. However, we must not forget that we are a business and there will, we are sure, be some tough decisions ahead. We have never been shy of a challenge and will work together with all stakeholders for the benefit of the Club.

On the pitch, Andy has put together a young and exciting team. Off the pitch, Board members and volunteers continue to work incredibly hard to ensure that our Club is something we can all be proud of.

Together we will, without doubt, achieve more. We will champion more kindness to, and tolerance of, one another; respect and appreciate what every person at every level involved with this amazing football club offers and support all our managers and coaches throughout the pathway and related teams.

Let’s continue with that ethic and be the very best we can be!

Enjoy the game and have a safe journey home.

Matt and Chris