The end of the month sees our chairman Derek Graham provide an update from our board to keep all of our supporters and partners, helping you keep up to date with the clubs progress. Please get in contact if you have any comments or suggestions.
"A lot’s happened recently, and I wanted to update you all about the plans for resuming football at the Robin’s Nest. But, first and foremost, I hope you are all well, and that those who are eligible are getting their jabs. I have had mine and the more who get them, the safer we all will be.
League news and the return of football
As you know the League have declared the 2020-21 season finished. That came as no surprise, but we are still waiting to hear what impact, if any, that is going to make on the proposed restructuring of the Leagues in our tier. We have been pushing hard for a points per game assessment from over the last two seasons to determine any automatic promotions. Obviously a lot of self interest there! We shall see what happens, but we can only hope. So, we will be planning as if we won't have any changes, and we will have to go up as Champions next season.
The really good news is that from 21 June it looks like we are back to full capacity. We are not yet sure what the League will let us do before that date. Our crowds have been growing with our average now well over the 300 mark, we won't be stopping there as we want to see 500, then 1,000 coming on our match days. The hub of every community should be a strong football club accessible to all.
Next season
Whilst, at the time of writing we do not know when the 2021-22 season will start, there is a consensus amongst clubs that we want to play as many pre-season friendlies as practicable. A lot of players will not have played competitive football for months, and we need to get everyone up to full match fitness and see what the squad looks like. We are now working hard to arrange friendlies that will excite as well as prepare us for the next season... and I am already able to share some great news!
Here’s a date for your Robin’s Nest Football Diary:
Friday July 16th Frome Town AFC v Bath City - A local derby on a warm summer evening with a beer or two, what could be better! Details on Tickets will be announced at a later date.
This summer
Expect some more good news on the pre-season front over the next couple of weeks. Also watch this space for some exciting news shortly of an adult local summer tournament and also the return of our ever popular family day in June/July.
Youth merger
This last year has seen us come much closer to Frome Town Robins and working together for the future of football in Frome and the surrounding areas. So we were delighted and proud of the announcement that they have co-ordinated and managed the merger of the three largest youth football teams in Frome. All coming together under a new team name 'Frome Town United'. We expect our relationship with the new club to continue to grow and look forward to giving more children the chance to explore our club and take advantage of our Mascot opportunities and Junior Season Ticket benefits.
21/22 Kit and Merchandise
I know many of you have been waiting patiently for your Puma kits. I can only apologise again for the delay, which is really out of our control. But, again good news, the kits are now on their way and we shall announce on Facebook when they arrive. As a Board we have already decided that there will be no kit change for 2021-22, so your shirts will be up to date next season. Please help support the club by looking at the Merchandise we do have available. But remember if you want to pick up your order from the club, we can't do that until the lockdown ends.
Club Finances
Amongst all the good news and progress, there are some things that really are not better. In a season where we have lost almost all our revenue we are having to work really hard to maintain this year’s budget plan. Whilst there are a number of grant/loan applications in the pipeline, they have yet to filter through. Some will have to be repaid and others will only cover costs we cannot avoid. I want to thank Danny and Gary for working hard to cut expenditure down to a minimum, and I especially want to thank the players for their understanding in these uncertain times.
We are working hard at a range of fundraising initiatives and hope when these are announced that people can help by either partaking, volunteering or helping spread the word.
All this is why initiatives such as the 50/50 prize draw are a lifeline. With the amount of people currently signed up we are now guaranteeing at least a £300 in each monthly prize pot. So far there there have already been 9 happy winners. Please do join!. I want personally to thank those amazing winners who have so kindly donated their prize money back to the Club. So with £300 coming into the club each month it really does help.
Season tickets, Flexi tickets and sponsorships
Following the conclusion of the season, I shall now be writing shortly to all 2020-21 season ticket holders and sponsors to outline how we would like to take forward your support into next season with a range of options. We will make further announcements on this as well.
Finally, I am looking forward to welcoming all our supporters and visitors back through the turnstiles to once again enjoy some cracking football.
'Del'
Derek Graham
Chairman