Read what Ben Clasper had to say in his programme notes ahead of our National League South clash with Dartford from the weekend.

The loss of our friend Duncan Chapman a year ago this week seems like only a moment ago and then you remember how long you’ve missed him and that moment becomes an age. Even now, rarely a meeting or a post-match drink passes without talking about him and so whilst it is lovely to welcome so many of his friends and family to Champion Hill today he is still very much part of our club day in, day out.

I wrote in the last programme about the threat to the club that is rearing its ugly head again and one of the reasons this matters to me so much personally is that it’s the same threat Duncan worked so hard to put down once before so we owe it to everyone involved in the club, past, present and future to come together and see this through. Duncan always expressed to me his confidence that good will prevail, so trust the process and especially to trust in politicians who have a genuine interest in our local community.

Some of the things we have had to listen to from those who continue to oppose the new stadium that will secure our long term future would I think have tested even Duncan’s patience but I am committed to following his approach which was to accept that you cannot change that process, that if things take longer than you would like it doesn’t mean those involved aren’t supportive but make sure everyone understands what is at stake and if you do need to intervene, do it before you reach the point of no return.

That last one is our collective responsibility and I would like to thank the Supporters’ Trust for picking up the baton in the past week in rebuilding the momentum that has kept this club going since Duncan and I stepped in four years ago. With less than two months to go until the judicial review brought by an individual against Southwark Council for how they ran a planning process the Trust are working hard with the club board to put together the information that will make sure everyone has the facts and understands the impact of each outcome on the club and the community.

I look forward to the time when the Chair of this club has nothing to write about except the odd football result, welcoming our opposition, thanking supporters and sponsors and talking about community and charity work. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think that time will come and energy bills, stadium disputes, match day rail strikes, hospitality staff shortages, cost of living crisis income pressures, double digit inflation running cost increases and suppliers holding clubs to ransom will all be a thing of the past. I can categorically say that every single factor that impacts the viability of clubs up and down the country is in a catastrophically worse state than it was when we as fans took over the running of the club and the past four years has taught us you have to find your own solutions because with rare exceptions, help from elsewhere is extremely limited (Southwark Council being our own rare bright spot in that regard). I hope what we learn from overcoming those challenges can see us through the final pages of this recent chapter.

We continue to try to find some relief on the pitch and based solely on the feedback from fans there is clearly improvement in that area, we win, we lose but do so in at least equal measure and the football is being talked about as more enjoyable. We are deep into the process of taking the longer term decision on the management of men’s team but keeping to our commitment of not rushing and considering how the role should work not just the person that will fill it.

On paper the visit of Dartford today brings the biggest challenge since Paul Barnes stepped in. This time last year they were clear at the top with one visiting manager even telling me they thought the title race was over and everyone else was playing for a play-off spot at best. Things change quickly in football and a slump in form and a shock defeat in the play offs to the surprise package Chippenham Town ended not only their promotion hopes but also Steve King’s time in charge. This season they have made a good rather than a flying start and sit third in the table taking advantage of no cup game last week to jump four places above teams in FA Cup action. We usually welcome a good crowd from Dartford and hope the rail strike doesn’t deter too many from making the trip but I know you will be there to support us both today and in the weeks to come.