Patron’s Christmas Message

Recent years have seen momentum lost on and off the pitch during November and December due to the weather and 2009 is no exception with a host of postponements resulting in many of our players barely kicking a ball for much of the last two months. We can’t alter the elements but something must have changed over the decades as I well remember a full local programme on Boxing Day. We also used to have staff-v-youth and one year a ladies game over the Christmas break on good playing surfaces. Lots of fun events that there seems little point in organising these days as the pitches are always sodden or frozen! However, every cloud, it is said, has a silver lining and what this enforced lay-off has done is afforded us all a chance to take stock and in effect prepare for a fresh start in the New Year.

There is no doubting that the next few fixtures for all of our sides will be crucial. The stringing together of a sequence of wins, plus a little bit of the rub of the green, will leave everybody in with a shout of glory in both league and cup competitions. I am not going to undermine managers by commenting on playing matters here – these I believe should be discussed internally at our committee meetings, in the clubhouse, and aired at the open forums. What I will do is publicly thank our managers and coaches for their time and effort … it is often a thankless job and of course pleasing all of the people all of the time is not possible. That said, if you manage at this club then you have to accept that you are in a goldfish bowl; but that’s the challenge and the rewards and satisfaction for success are huge. I take it as a compliment that, in spite of a little dip in recent seasons, we are still the team to beat!

We have a large and talented playing staff that is decidedly diverse in attitude, culture and aspirations – and yet I really sense we are gradually building a great club spirit with everyone understanding that, once that white line is crossed, wearing a Green shirt demands total commitment. My thanks to all the players for their endeavours and I fully understand the total frustration with the constant ‘match postponed’ announcements. But, these games will have to be played and there is an enormous amount of football to look forward to between now and May. Two points: our poor disciplinary record has to change for the better and players please stop this pathetic habit of coming to games without your sub money. Back to the football and hopefully all agree that the so-called ‘transition period’ is now consigned to history and with self-belief, dedication and sheer hard work we will soon bring back the good times. Good luck and let’s make sure we are all ready for the big challenges about to begin at the start of 2010.

The 80^th anniversary coincides with exciting developments off the field and these will be explained further as progress is made. Briefly, as most of you know, we are to work in partnership with other agencies for the maintenance and utilisation of the Swan Ground/Swan Centre complex. This will see the building of a youth centre, more changing facilities and really importantly a floodlit multi-use games area that should solve our training problems.

Andrew 'Will' Myall of The Albion with The Patron

There are more negotiations to take place but at least we are moving in the right direction. The ethos of working with other organisations is crucial to our securing funding for future development and you will be kept updated. Another friendly liaison involves the local pub, The Albion, of whom we have been associated with for many years. A recent donation of £200 [see picture] was gratefully received and this will be used to repair/renovate the halfway dugouts which were damaged during November by strong winds.

My contribution [as Patron] to the 80^th anniversary year will be to commission/purchase a replica kit to be worn for two seasons and I will move on this at next week’s gathering at the clubhouse. The idea is that players will buy their shirts at the end of the two years [or they can be auctioned off/e-bay] and the money put towards a new contemporary strip. Other events lined up are a vets game with Kennington, perhaps a match against the County League rep side, a Sunday League rep side and/or a triangular tournament involving  the ‘old enemies’ – Bromley Green, Lydd Town and New Romney. I have not had time to write to Lydd and Romney with an official invite yet so out of courtesy that is all I will say at this stage. The 80^th anniversary dinner is scheduled for 25 June at the Ashford International and more details will follow in due course. It is clearly going to be an expensive year for the club and any contacts any of you may have with potential sponsors, please let me know.

My thanks go to the small band on the Executive Committee who work hard, to our special cameraman, our historian, those who prepare refreshments on match days and to our supporters. You will note that not a single name has been mentioned. This is not to offend – merely to illustrate that we each have a role to play [we all know those that are pulling their weight at present] and it is my wish that every one of you become ‘involved’ in your own way.

Finally, to all our friends in Australia, South Africa, and former players and their families across the globe who follow the Green on this website, please accept compliments of the season from everybody at the club. To the rest of you here in Kent: Happy Christmas and together let’s meet the challenge and make 2010 a year to remember – a year of total commitment; indeed a year of which our founders would have been proud.

Dave Homewood

{Patron Bromley Green Football Club]