The latest from Chairman Ben Clasper, from the programme of our Home game against Hemel Hempstead on Saturday, May 7th.

For the final time this season I would like to welcome you all to Champion Hill and thank you for your amazing support throughout the season. It has been a season of highs and lows but the fact that we clumped most of those highs together in the first half of the season while there is no hiding from the fact that the second half has seen most of the lows has only increased the level of disappointment we are all feeling as the season comes to a close and the sentiments in the fan base are understandably very mixed.

Our shrinking play-off hopes finally disappeared out of view last weekend when results for both Havant & Waterlooville and Chippenham Town took them out of sight. Whilst none of us can pretend to have predicted the decline in our form most of what else is happening in the top half of the table is in line with what I expected. Despite Dorking having the title in their hands for a while there was something about the relentlessness of Maidstone that had them as my tip to win it for the past few months and after their victory here I thought Havant & Waterlooville looked like the sort of team that would have that momentum to sneak into the play-offs. I wouldn’t bet against them going the whole way right now but with 5 of my 6 pre-season picks holding the play-off spots it is a very strong line up.

Sadly, on the 4th anniversary of our play-off victory to reach the National League, today will mark our last game of the campaign rather than see us preparing for another end of season knock-out finale ourselves.

While we were snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at Dorking on the bank holiday Monday our recent rivals and promotion bedfellows from that joyous season, Billericay Town, succumbed to relegation after results saw Welling secure their place with a victory against champions Maidstone. I guess the luck of the fixture list has played some part in that with Maidstone needing nothing from the game while Billericay were up against Ebbsfleet who are still hoping to snatch that final guaranteed spot in the semi-finals ahead of Dartford. It will be strange not to see Billericay next season who always raised their game against us but after two years without any promotion from below at least it means a fresher looking fixture list next season with the increase to 24 teams meaning we face 6 new sides.
Relegation from the National League above will bring us two coastal visits to Dover and Weymouth and away day travel will increase further thanks to the promotion of Worthing and Taunton as champions of their respective leagues below and play-off victories for Cheshunt and Farnborough. After three seasons (albeit two curtailed) of facing the same sides we are finally looking forward to some welcome changes.

Change will also be on the menu off the pitch as a break from matches will give us a chance to regroup. Those of you who have read previous notes or attended the fan forum will know our priority is to review what we need to change top to bottom to move the club forward. With newcomers last season into the club management team and the board there are a huge number of lessons learned and now is the time to apply that knowledge to our plans not only for next season but the next three-year cycle. Our internal meetings start next week and we are looking to the supporters’ trust to help us change how decisions are made to benefit of the fans and the club. If what you have heard throughout the season, on these pages, in meetings, on the terraces or in the clubhouse has left you wanting to know more or feel you have something to contribute please make sure you join the trust and please at least vote in the elections for the board if not stand!

On a personal level I hope I have made more good decisions than bad ones over the current three-year cycle now coming to a close and I am pleased to have helped deliver what we set out to achieve and that the club is now in good health as a result. I look forward to seeing what comes out of the discussions at the club and the supporters’ trust in the coming weeks and will be happy to be part of the plan for the next three years in whatever capacity people feel is best for the club.

For the last time, thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you all again in pre-season.