Credit where it is due, a week after the Government portal opened we received our first CJRS payment in full and on time.
After a number of tasks that we have never had to go through before, it's quite nice to get back on familiar ground with some actual football-related work as we prepare our retained list for the FA. This is the annual form that clubs have to send in listing their current players that are already on contract for next season or are out of contract but have been offered new terms. This list has to be in by 9th May.
Having cancelled all remaining games in the “regular” season, the National League is now seeking views from clubs on what steps to take next with specific reference to how and whether Play-Offs can be staged at some point in time. Thereafter, we expect further news regarding how and whether final League placings for the 2019/20 can be determined and therefore how promotion and relegation matters will be addressed.
Not surprisingly, the league's annual awards dinner at the Celtic Manor Hotel has been cancelled. On the subject of awards, we feel it is still appropriate to have our own usual Player of the Year awards and we are just finalising a way of being able to share this through SUFCtv.
Staying with SUFCtv, we'd just like to say what a good job the crew are doing in ensuring they entertain and inform all supporters with their mix of online content. There has been the occasional blip but this is to be expected given that the team are all amateurs and are often experimenting with technologies and approaches that they have not tried before, but the level and quality of output has been consistently high.
We would like to congratulate Steve King, his coaches and players for being declared champions of Premiership 1 and 2 divisions of the Surrey Football For All disability league. More than that though, we feel it is even more praiseworthy that both teams were also honoured with their divisional Respect awards, awarded in recognition of the way in which they treat other teams and officials.
Adrian would like say a personal thank you to all those who have been purchasing 20/21 season tickets, we have sold more than £7k of STs in the last three weeks and, although that is very useful of course, we are all extremely grateful for the expression of confidence and support that this demonstrates.
We hope that all of our supporters and families are keeping well. Don't forget that the pastoral support service offered by our club chaplain, Leonard, is available for you all to use and is totally confidential.
Stay Safe and please follow the Government's rules and guidelines on social distancing
#inittogether
Dave Farebrother
Chairman, Board of Directors