Well that’s it for another season. The 8ths performed valiantly in their double-header against the Champions but in the end better finishing prevailed. They will have to be content with beating the 7ths by a point! The most noteworthy fact to arise from the game was a record number of officials. The full set of 3 officials was supplied for the first game and a different set came on for the second. A total cost of £144 for two hours work but at least they did a good job! No bookings to my knowledge which means Christo can sleep easier as we were a whisker away from breaching Stage 3 of the Disciplinary system. Recent action with suspensions seems to have done the trick. If repeat offenders are not on the pitch our crime rate drops. Simple. Expect more of the same next season after such a disastrous year.

A very busy season for Christo but let’s not forget the others that allow you to breeze out on a Saturday without a thought as to how it happens.

Nick Finney: arranging, confirming, cancelling, rearranging fixtures. He’s starting to make it look easy but it isn’t.

Chris Warne: arranging, confirming, cancelling, rearranging referees.

Sid Draper: supplying & laundering 9 kits each week, (of the right colour!)

Ian Nuckey: Making sure there are enough balls after you’ve lost or burst several dozen year. Also replacing 150 lost net pegs a year!

Annabelle & Tom: EBOG Meals.

Andy Mac (with help from Dan Caskie and others this year) & the Captains: Selection every Monday; dropouts on a Friday and chaos on a Saturday.

All the above (except perhaps Ian) need to be advised by Nick, usually on a Saturday morning, if a game is altered or cancelled. The Captains then have the task of advising up to 100 players who usually have their Mobiles switched off or flat, and then complain later they were not told!

All of this also ignores the fact that the Clubhouse has to be opened, made ready, locked up and the bar stocked and staffed ready for every Saturday.

The pitches also have to be cut and marked.

Thanks to all the above and a few others I have omitted. Let’s have some more people pitching in next season. It’s been better this year with people putting out tables and opening/closing the shutters. Don’t always wait to be asked.

Top men’s side was the 3rds, under the burger master, who came 4th in Division 1, the best showing for some years. No promotions but equally no relegations. It looks as though the Ladies have missed out on winning their Division on goal difference. This despite beating the eventual champions, Dagenham & Redbridge, home and away! A very good season for our most enthusiastic side with an unrivalled attendance at training. Men take note.

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