The main achievement is finding a new Treasurer for the CIO and the Trading Company. David Staff will be known to many of you, particularly as he has two sons who have been through the youth system at the Club. David brings huge experience as his role as Director & Principal Systems Analyst at a global services organisation will be a great help in the potential transition onto a more modern IT platform and with it the implementation of some new controls into the Club’s financial systems.

Another great addition to the team is the appointment of Ben Stanley as a Director of the Trading Company. Ben has vast experience both rugby wise and professionally and his role in the hospitality world means he can support Jane in the main bar and the growth of Bar 1928 as it becomes a significant contributor to the health of the Club.

Still under discussion is the requirement for new leases for the three building structures on the Club’s land. In mid-October we, (representatives from the trustees and General Committee), met with the South West Essex Community Education Trust, (I am going to refer to them as SWECET from now on to save me having to write so much). Following this meeting the Trust are looking to prepare separate lease documents for us to review to resolve the concerns we raised. We aim to sit all parties together with the legal people in the next few weeks and thrash out any final issues before returning to the members.

In the mean time the Trust has continued to support the Club with delivery of the training lights on two Club pitches greatly improving the ability to have multiple teams training at the same time.

It has been a strange month on the rugby side. The men’s 1st XV beat Chingford 3-28 for another bonus point win. Old Cooperians opted to drop out of league rugby so with all their results being null and void we moved to the top of the Essex 1 table on points difference. The 2nds cried off their game against Harlow, Brentwood then cried off against us and this weekend Thurrock has again cried off our fixture against Woodford. The 3s beat East London. The T-Birds have had mixed fortunes. They beat Richmond, won well against Henley but were well beaten by Old Albanians in their latest match and now sit 4th in the Championship South table.

Romford & Gidea Park having cried off in the Community Cup meant the men’s first team now have a home draw against Southwold (I’m not sure I can remember ever playing them before?) in January. This competition is national so win this next round and the following quarter-final match can be anywhere in England.

Commercially not a lot has happened. The Club shop has agreed a deal with Victor Trophies relating to the new men’s first team kit. Any supporter, young and old, will be able to obtain replica kit through the shop. Mark Burrows will be able to guide you on this (sorry Mark). As usual equipment and kit will still be available from Fenton’s via the shop for all other team requirements.

I am writing this before our first team play Epping Upper Clapton. After too many disciplinary cards last season throughout the Club, the men’s first team has a potential points deduction for further discretions this season. In addition we have been told we must play a league fixture with NO Thurrock supporters in attendance. This Saturday, 8th November, the match will be “behind closed doors”. The game may be over by the time you get to read this so I hope we have another W against our name.

I have not really had much time to follow the Colts and other Youth teams. The Colts results for October were good with wins against three Bs, Burnham, Bancroft & Basildon. The U16s (v Romford) & U15s (v Braintree) both lost cup games during the month.

I will leave it there as unfortunately I have not got too far on with my third “Comm”, Community so I will finish there.

Mike

P.S. if anybody has a way of squeezing more hours in the day please let me know.