Chairman's Message

Last Saturday we again saw the benefits of having a 3G pitch when our Reserves home fixture was played (in front of a large crowd of 86 with the weather claiming fixtures all around ) while our First Team’s game, due at Laverstock, was, like many others, a victim of the weather. In fact from 9 o’clock on Saturday SEVEN of our young Alton teams had played their home fixtures on the 3G at The Enclosure before our Reserve Team kicked off at 3pm.

That brings into focus the fact that we are now a club of some 36 teams – from age 6 to Vets, male and female – and, as such are one of the biggest in Hampshire. Although this does bring added responsibility to the First Team and Reserves, in being at the top of the club’s structure there is an example to be set to some 350 younger players in both behaviour and discipline on and off the pitch. We are proud to be a Standard Charter Club holding the FA Kitemark for good practice in all matters of conduct – and the First Team and Reserves have to lead the way by example.

We are now looking to work on an overall player and club development plan to maximise individual and team pathway potential from this strength in numbers.

It was a reward well deserved when Clive Ventham received the Wessex Team of the Month award at our most recent home game. Together with Kevin Beaumont and assisted by Sean Hayes and Glen Westwood they have worked hard at bringing stability while recruiting new players of substance and their success has been rightly recognised with this award.

Reserves manager, Robbie Clayton, has, like the First Team, brought stability and buzz to the group and recruited quality players who want to play for the club. A freshness has returned to the overall group and both teams have a better strength in depth while replacing a few who are now seeking selection elsewhere.

My sincere thanks to ‘the whole team’ of managers, coaches and players who have all responded so positively over recent weeks. Accordingly, we look forward with confidence.

Cheers
Mr Chairman