I will keep this as short as I can, but it has been a historic and eventful season and, above all, very successful. This makes my aim to keep my report short very difficult, but here goes....
Being our 60th Anniversary we wanted to mark the occasion but success on the pitch was a priority. We got off to a flying start by winning the Brighton League 6-a-side tournament in fine style before the season even started.
Pre-season training and friendlies went well and when the season started the 2nd X1 got off to a flier winning their first 3 games without conceding a goal. At Christmas a possible push for promotion was on the cards. This didn't quite materialise but the 2nd X1 went on to have its most successful season for many years and were unlucky to narrowly lose in the semi-final of the Brighton Challenge Shield.
My duties with the 1st X1 meant I only got to see a few 2nd X1 games but the team were clearly well organised and enjoyed an excellent team spirit. This was a reflection on the efforts of Team Manger Ian and his deputy Giles who both did a great job.
The 1st X1 didn't get quite the start they were hoping for in what turned out to be a very competitive and tight Premier Division in which very few easy points were on offer. A few key positions were proving difficult to fill but Bill's enthusiasm and belief never waivered and the underlying spirit remained good. The team gradually turned the corner during November and December.
It was essential that the Team Managers worked together in those early months to ensure that our resources were used effectively. The teamwork between Bill and Ian throughout the season was excellent.
The Premier League position gradually looked healthier although, because it was such a tight league, points were needed to nearly the last week to secure a creditable 8th position (and with one more point than the previous year).
The icing on the cake was winning through to the Presidents Cup Final which gave the whole club a great night out and a memorable victory and another trophy. Bill's insistence that the team arrive early for the final with suits and ties and generally preparing properly, was rewarded with a 2-1 success.
I have purposely not mentioned any players because if I mention one I will have to mention everyone. I must, however, pay tribute to all who played for Bill, Ian or both. The club saw an influx of new players from the previous season but the way new members were integrated was a credit to all concerned. The spirit within both teams was excellent and I know the Managers were grateful for the support and co-operation you gave to them.
The season was also notable for players reaching significant milestones in terms of appearances for the club. Not least, of course Neil Wooller, who made his 500th appearance during a visit from his new home in Cyprus. Not sure if this milestone will be reached again, and it's possible Neil might even return to add to his tally.
Off the pitch it was an equally successful season.
We recruited some new faces on the committee who have all been enthusiastic and willing to help. Never have I been so sure of the future of the club with so many willing and able recruits waiting in the wings to take over when us old stagers move aside. New ideas are always welcome but the wisdom of experience cannot be underestimated and having John, our Chairman, and Terry and Trevor to provide that wisdom is invaluable.
For the last 3 or 4 years we have been looking for new sponsors, mainly to help in replacing both kits but without success. It was a real bonus when 2 potential sponsors surfaced at the beginning of the season.
Our grateful thanks go to Seb and Lucas Tucknott who now sponsor our 1st X1 through their successful company Brightsite. Full details of their services (too many to mention here) are available on their website which can be accessed via our website. A big thank you also to Seb and Lucas for helping re-designing our club badge which now adorns our shirts. I must also thank Lucas for filming our cup final. It was a real bonus to be able to see the highlights, especially that winning goal.
Thank you also to UMI Hotels, kindly introduced to us via Matt Whittaker, who now sponsor our 2nd X1. It is the team UMI sponsor in London that we meet in our first pre-season friendly, Surreal Madrid (a feeder team for Real Madrid I understand). Again their website can be accessed through our own and I can recommend their London hotel having stayed there myself.
We also thank John Aylward and Chris Smith who have continued to donate towards the cost of our end of season trophies.
On the social side, our anniversary gave us an excuse to resurrect the social side of the club and it was great to make contact with many former members. This started at our pre-season friendly with Mile Oak which gave us some contacts and with a bit more research we managed to trace a lot of old players. It was good to see many of them at our highly successful Race Night at The Romans. At this point, the season also saw us make the move to The Romans and this has proved an excellent move. We are grateful to Chris, Andy and all the staff for making us so welcome and providing post match refreshments.
This in turn led to the Legends match which saw us meet up with many more former players. Most, if not all, have suggested we make that an annual event but that may have been before they seized up the next day.
Communication is important when running any club and our website has certainly been an integral part of this. The website (www.portsladeathletic.co.uk) has grown and evolved over the past 2 years and my sincere thanks go to Mick Jordan for his considerable efforts and to all contributors for making this available and such interesting reading (I have only just recently discovered the Blog but have yet to master Facebook).
The season ended with a very well attended Awards Night and congratulations go to all those presented with trophies but thank you to all who attended. The catering side left a lot to be desired but UMI Hotel have made a significant refund to our club in compensation having accepted responsibility. They have promised to make it up to us next year if we decide to return. It was certainly an excellent venue in all other respects.
Next season will see two significant changes in personnel.
We all know Duncan stated at the start of the season, his desire to stand down as Team Secretary after 21 years (you get less for murder). A very difficult position to fill and act to follow, because it is such a key role. Duncan’s predecessor Greg Ash completed 7 years so it has not become vacant often in recent times.
We are very fortunate that Matt Whittaker, who has some experience in a similar role, has agreed to assume the task and has already thrown himself in at the deep end. While I know Matt pick it all up quickly, he will need the support of us all to make the transition as easy as possible. Duncan will of course still be around and has offered his experience and expertise if required.
Ian Steele indicated a desire to concentrate on coaching and has duly taken on the role of Club Coach. His experience and knowledge will prove invaluable in this new position within the club. Ian will concentrate on helping individuals and teams improve the technical sides of the game as requested by and in conjunction with the Team Managers.
It is not often at any level in football the pieces fall into place as readily as filling the 2nd X1 Team Managers role did on this occasion. When Ian indicated his preference to stand down, we decided to approach Shane Keary, a former player known to many of you, to see if he would be interested as he was considered an ideal candidate. I am delighted that he agreed to become Manager of the 2nd X1 with Giles continuing as his deputy. Welcome back Shane.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to remind you that our league and this club have signed up to the FA Respect campaign and no doubt more publicity will be seen on this during the coming season. We, as a club, have a good reputation for our discipline but it could be better. As always, a dim view will be taken for unnecessary yellow and red cards being received for dissent towards match officials (including Referees Assistants!) as well as retaliation and violent conduct. Matt for one will welcome a reduction in paperwork for such offences.
I know, I said I was going to keep this short and have failed. I think this might be my longest report to date but this is down to us enjoying such an excellent season both on and off the pitch.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed and let us hope for more of the same or even better in the coming season. The omens are good already with our touring side coming home with a trophy already having won a national 6-a-side tournament in Newquay.
Good Luck for season 2009/10
Cliff Emberlin
Chairman