Summer update

Playing Surface
The playing surface under the guidance of new head groundsman Colin Dunn and assisted by Nigel Green is immaculate, and I’m sure fans will be very impressed when they return for the first pre-season friendly against Luton next week. A few weeks ago Colin was joined by nearly a dozen volunteers who in two hours managed to take out any unnecessary weeds from the pitch. The summer fund launched by the Supporters Trust has to date raised half the money needed for a new mower so please keep donations coming in.

A new location for the Club Shop
Our club president, Len Satchell and his team have repaired the back of ‘The Shed’ and have re-located the club shop from the portacabin to the old taxi office. This is a brick built building and will have two rooms. One selling official club merchandise and the other selling old programmes and memorabilia. The interior looks fantastic, and the new shop is in excellent position next to the turnstiles and well worth a visit.

Decorating at the club
City fan Mark Stevens and Vice-Chairman Terry Dunn have almost finished painting the home changing room and if there is time and enough volunteers the away team and match officials rooms and the foyer will be done as well. So if you have some spare time, then please get in contact with the club.

Cleaning the stands
Two of our regular volunteers Jill Weekes and Michael Hinde have been cleaning the seats in the stand and terracing. However this is very time consuming and help is required and if possible before next Tuesday's friendly with Luton. Shortly after the end of last season life-long City fan Clive Hillier re-felted the roofs above the two turnstiles at the school end.

Murder Mystery Play and Fair car parking a success
Back at the end of May, Karen Dunn organised a Murder Mystery Play at the club which was performed over two nights. An enjoyable evening was had by all those who attended and it raised a decent sum of money over the two nights. Another success was the midsummer fair car parking on 26th June. A big thank you to Jill, Mick Saunders and Tracy who did sterling work taking money at the gate and raising some much needed funds for the club.

Sponsorship
Finance director Gill Wordingham has sponsored some much needed wam-up tops and there is always scope here for any fans to sponsor items of kit. Details are available from our marketing director Bob Brownlie on 07860 426090. Our player sponsorship is up and running again and for £120 you can sponsor your favourite, for a list of who is available see our website or programme. Bob has been successful in selling some colour ads for the programme and new perimeter advertising boards. Along with two directors and manager Gary Roberts, Bob is following up some shirt sponsorship leads. If anyone has any other leads for shirt sponsorship, then please call Bob on 07860 426090 or the club on (01223) 357973.

Legends Bar
The Legends Bar was open for all World Cup matches, and has regular functions on most weeks. Together with the Presidents Room, they remain two excellent function rooms that are available for hire. If you would like to hire either room or know of someone who is looking for a place for a party, wedding reception, meeting/conference then please contact our Bar & Events Manager, Paul Burling on 07730 431701 for further details

Season Tickets & Car Park Charge
Our hard working secretary Andy Dewey has been busy dealing with an increase in season ticket sales and the prices are: Adults £180 Concessions/ 65 and over and students with ID £90 12-16 years £54. Don’t forget admission for under 12s and all seating is free. As previously mentioned there will be a £1 car parking charge once the season commences, not applicable to season ticket holders at league games.

Programme and admission prices for pre-season matches
Next seasons programme will be edited by Keith Harris and Chris Farrington and the price will remain at £2, pre-season £1. The game against Luton will be sponsored by The Young Company and the admission prices for both pre-season games and the forthcoming season remained unchanged at £10 / £5/ £3.

Thanks and farewell to Di
Finally one of our 50-50 ticket sellers Di Clarke will no longer be available on match days. The club would like to thank Di for standing out in all weathers helping to sell tickets. The other seller, Andrew Dunn will be matchday announcer for Saturday games this season, so we are looking for a new volunteer to come forward and sell tickets. Please get in contact with Andrew via e-mail: dunnandrew@hotmail.com or contact the club.

Once the season gets up and running, the weekly bulletins will return, so regular 7 day updates from the club both on and off the field. In the meantime, if anyone wishes to help out in any way then please contact the club office manned by Jill, Margaret, Gordon and Gill on (01223) 357973.