As the season draws to a close, it’s time to take stock and review what has been an incredible year. Some may notice that I said the exact same last year, but it really is the only way to describe this ‘second year’.

Again, it has been a solid season for both the first and the youth team, with the first team close to qualifying for the FA Cup next season with just a few games left to go.

Progressive plans are already in place to push on for next season as the ‘five year’ plan at the club reaches its first year’s end. Having met and exceeded this seasons goals, next season we look to challenge for promotion and, I am certain, that we have the right core of players to add to.

So many of the youth team have featured in the first team squad this season and it is important for the local talent to realise this, as we look to field as many local players as possible as we move forward. We will be adding an Under 21 development side next season which is crucial, in order to plug the gap between youth and first team football and to ensure that talent does not disappear from the area, or worse, the game completely, if they are not quite ready for men’s football.

With the ‘five year plan’ in mind, and, as is very evident if you have visited Townsend Meadow this season, huge changes to the infrastructure of the club have already taken place. New changing facilities, stand, dugouts, floodlights and turn-styles, along with many cosmetic changes, have transformed the Meadow into a very welcoming and attractive venue to serve both football and the community.

The club is installing a floodlit training facility alongside the pitch which will help to bring everything ‘in-house’ and will also provide a venue for the community to use. The old clubhouse is also to be refurbished imminently, with glass viewing of the training pitch on one side, offering parents, families and friends a welcoming area to watch from. The old clubhouse will become a smart and airy venue for weddings, parties and other occasions with the football and members bar moving to the new building at pitch-side.

We are ready for new shirt and additional pitch side sponsors and will be looking for the right partners to join our exciting venture.

I, on behalf of the club, would like to thank all of our pitch side, shirt and commercial sponsors for their support this season. Our junior sponsorship is due for renewal and we would welcome any local companies who would like to join us on our venture. The Townsend Meadow ground is now sponsored by Church Farm Brewery and we thank them for the five year deal and hope that their excellent beer continues to quench the thirst of our growing sports and club membership.

The local Council, both Town and District, have continued their invaluable support and we hope to continue assisting them in providing fantastic options for local people.

Our crowds this season are again up, almost 100%, and for that we must thank those who come and enjoy the game with us. We have had 3 games with over 200 people in attendance with an average of over 100 throughout the league season. It has been fantastic welcoming back people who haven’t been to the club for many years. The potential of this football club is huge and I hope Warwick as a Town becomes a part of the success.

Of course, the football income is a large part of our overall turnover, with the bar and parties and various teams, such as pool, darts, netball and more contributing. We now have revenue from the fabulous children’s nursery who have relocated to the site, alongside other local businesses renting our accommodation. This all allows us to move forward and compete on the pitch and to further enhance the community facilities.

We do have free diary spaces for functions over the summer months, so there’s no need to look anywhere else for you party venue!

Our Junior section has been magnificent this season and we have achieved reaching several cup finals at the age levels where competitive football occurs. Our younger sides have all matured into fantastic individuals and teams and it is a delight to see them develop with our excellent coaches. The new training facility will enable us to further develop all the teams with specialised coaching alongside the usual training sessions.

Sacrifice’s are made by everyone involved at the club, from the top down. Every week a handful of people make tremendous time commitments to keep the club moving forward and huge plaudits must go the committee we have at this great club.

To conclude, if the 2015/16 season was one of “re-setting” ourselves on and off the pitch, then this season has been the first striding step into the ‘five year plan’. I know that everyone is really looking forward to next season with our mission to return Townsend Meadow to a thriving football and community venue.

Have a great spring and summer,

Gary Vella
Racing Club Warwick Chairman