A.F.C. Hucknall

The club was awarded a Grant of £6,613 by Awards For All - This picture was taken 2nd April 2007.

---------------------------------------

CHAIRMANS REPORT - JUNE 2007

May I take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the Club and to the 2007/08 season, which I believe will be our most exciting so far. I have detailed below the progress the club in making in our early development, and have detailed coming events.

EXPANSION 2007/08

The 2006/07 season saw the club successfully double in size with the welcome addition of a Ladies Team. This was a great challenge that was achieved through the hard work of many of our members who we thank for all their efforts. But we are not prepared to leave it there.

Next season I am delighted to announce that we will see the club double again to four teams, competing in both mens and ladies football around the county.

The Mens team successfully moved last season from Division 6 of the Mansfield Sunday league to Division 1 of the Notts Combination League where they finished the season in the top 5.

Having spoken with the league, we will now be entering an AFC Hucknall Reserves team into Division 3 of the Notts Combination league allowing the club to develop a large squad from where players can be selected into the teams. And there will be a much greater chance for all members to play more football

The Ladies team successfully settled into Division 1 of the Nottinghamshire Girls & Ladies Football League, ending the season with a draw and two victories which was a great achievement.

For 2007/08 we are entering an Under 16’s side of 14 – 16 year olds into the League to compete in the Under 16 section. This will help to coach and develop players through the club in preparation for Senior Football in coming seasons.


HOME GROUND

After a period of some uncertainty, we are delighted to announce that in the last two weeks we have signed a contract for all four teams to play our home fixtures at Goosedale during the 2007/08 season. This is an excellent ground with great facilities so we are looking to develop this relationship for many seasons to come.

COACHING

This is always a tricky one for Team Managers to organise, so I am really pleased to welcome CAMERON EVANS to the club, to take on the responsibility of coaching and developing all our teams.

Cameron is a full time professional coach with extensive experience in both Mens and Ladies football where his coaching skills reach international standards. One of his specialist skills is SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) which he will be coaching at all sessions along with ball skills and tactics.

Our teams will greatly improve under his expert guidance and he will play a major part in the clubs development.

MEMBERSHIP PLAN

During the last 3 seasons, collection of subs at both training and match days was always a major distraction to managers trying to focus on matters in hand. We have therefore been looking at an alternative way to fund the club, and have decided upon a membership scheme for the coming season.

The one off membership fee will cover all League & Cup fixtures and all training sessions with Cameron where no venue costs are incurred. Once we move indoors we will need to charge a small amount to cover the venue costs. We will also need to charge a small amount for pre-season fixtures and tournaments just to cover costs.

Every member will be given a club tracksuit to be worn on match days. This will also raise the clubs profile. And members will also have a membership card that will entitle them to discounts at various outlets that we will confirm later.

The membership fee will be payable before the season begins, but can be paid in installments by arrangement (contact Management regarding this)

Triallists will be encouraged to attend pre-season training and will NOT be charged until they decide to become members.

The membership fee for the coming season is based on number of matches played and will be as follows:

Mens teams £60

Ladies Team £45

Under 16’s £25

Members will be asked to fill in membership forms when they sign for the club, and will need to tell us sizes for tracksuits. Club Tracksuits must be worn on matchdays, this is promote the image of AFC Hucknall.

TRAINING

The LADIES and GIRLS team will commence training with Cameron on a Thursday evening from 7th June. Initially this will be from 6.30pm to 8.30pm throughout June.

The MENS team begin training with Cameron on Thursday 5th July. And at that point times will change

The Ladies & Girls will then be 6pm to 7.30pm, and the Mens teams 7.30pm to 9pm.

All triallists will be welcome and encouraged at these sessions which will be held at Titchfield Park in Hucknall alongside the Cricket Pitch.

Please be punctual.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

To meet the challenges of this new expansion, we are looking at how best we can structure management teams to look after each team both on match days and the fulfilment of Admin roles. This can never be a one man role

MENS TEAMS

Having only recently agreed the two Mens teams for 2007/08 with the Combination League, we are still in discussion over Management structures.

There will therefore be an announcement during the coming two weeks.

LADIES TEAM

The Ladies Team will have a new Management pairing for the coming season as I am delighted to welcome MARK SIMPSON to the club to work alongside myself. Mark has played the game at a high standard where he has huge experience, is a straight talking individual and will take responsibility for “on field” activities. My role will be to support Mark and the team in all areas, undertake all administration work and develop the squad.

We will also be joined by DANIEL STEANE who will be with us on match days and will also help coach the goalkeepers.


U16's GIRLS TEAM

A brand new management team of NICK GORE & LEE WEIR will take charge of the Girls team for 2007/08. Both were founder members of the Mens team three years ago, and Lee holds the club record for number of appearances.

This is a totally new venture to these guys, and the club will provide full support during the coming season to ensure success. I will assist wherever I can, finally putting my Child Protection Qualification to good use., with both Managers will attend courses during the summer.

We are looking for players aged 14 – 16 years old to join us on a Thursday evening on the park, and all will be made very welcome.

FUNDRAISING

During 2006/07, we were thrilled to obtain a sizeable grant that will secure the clubs future short term. But with new pricing structures in place and rising costs, both fundraising and sponsorship will play a major part of the coming season.

We are therefore setting up a group to look at what we can achieve that will consist of Adam (Club Secretary), Hayley West and Rachel Bury plus myself. Our job will be to look at completely new ideas of raising money and find ways of involving all club members in social events.

Anyone with suggestions is encouraged to contact us


AGM

We are trying to arrange an AGM for all members prior to the start of the season. It is important that members have the opportunity to discuss all the clubs new developments, so we will announce the date as soon as we can confirm it.


AND FINALLY………………….

After the success of last season, we now need to look forward to another exciting period of growth, and make 2007/08 the season we really put the name of AFC Hucknall on the map!!!

Alan Walker
Chairman