Welcome to the Raymond McEnhill Stadium for this afternoon’s fixture against Bedford Town. Fans of “The Whites” have been treated to fourteen goals in the last three home games. The performance of our young squad in each of those games has been good to watch and it is great to see such quality goals. It is particularly pleasing to see the way that the team is combining together and beginning to make it difficult for the opposition to get anything from visits here. Let’s hope this trend continues throughout the season.

This is our first home league game since the defeat at Hednesford Town. As you may have seen in the post match interviews, Darrell Clarke was very disappointed with the team’s performance that day and there are a number of areas he has been focussing on with the players to ensure that our away performances become as strong as those at home. It would be remiss of us not to again thank those supporters that follow the Club home and away. The Directors of the clubs that we have visited this season have all commented on the impressive number of supporters that we have following the Club.

Those of you attending the recent Directors Forum will have heard how important we feel it is to build the connections with the wider community. It is, therefore, very pleasing to see that there is increasing interest in the “Football In The Community” programme. This sees coaches helping school children develop their football skills. Working in these schools helps establish wider links and thanks to the support of Spire FM we will shortly commence a half-time penalty shoot out competition between schools.

Another important strand is the connection to the Junior Salisbury City football teams. The Club has been working closely with representatives of these teams to forge stronger links and we hope to see more of their young players attending matches.

For older students the relationship we have established with both Sparsholt College and Wiltshire College enables aspiring professional footballers to benefit from qualified coaching whilst also pursuing academic qualifications. Darrell Clarke and Mikey Harris will be working closely with both colleges to develop the coaching and we hope to see young players emerge that will compete for places in our football squad.

We hope that you will be going to the Playhouse to watch “The Game”. There is a special evening on Friday 8 October where the cast and Darrell Clarke will talk about “100 years of Football” there will be a number of first team players attending the performance that evening. Look out for the voucher in The Game’s programme, this gives supporters the opportunity to gain a reduction on one of the forthcoming matches.

Another date for your diary is Sunday 7^th November 2010, when we will be presenting “An Audience with Lawrie McMenemy, Matthew Le Tissier, and a special guest”. The event will be held at the Playhouse and hosted by comedian Mike Osman.

Finally, we extend a warm welcome to the Directors, Officials, Players and Supporters of Bedford Town. We look forward to the return fixture in April and hope you all have a safe journey home.

William Harrison-Allan, Chris Brammall, Jeff Hooper and Paul Fredericks