Chairman's end of season thoughts

Chairman Steve Easterbrook provides his thoughts following the end of a successful season for the Rebels.

Thursday 15 May 2014·4 min read

This season has definitely been my most challenging as Chairman... it has also been my most enjoyable Steve Easterbrook, Chairman Steve Easterbrook was unable to attend the club's end of season presentation evening on Friday 9 May, but provided supporters with the below end of season message:

"With the dramatic way the season finished it is a shame that I am unable to attend this evening’s presentation. However I did not want this evening to pass without highlighting my thoughts on the season.

"With all the changes that took place last summer, this season has definitely been my most challenging as Chairman. I will however hasten to add that it has also been my most enjoyable. Through new management to the introduction of new sponsors MyFC, I can certainly say that initial feelings amongst fans and supporters at the start of the season were pretty mixed. However I would like to think that as the season progressed the financial benefits of having MyFC on board and the changes to management have certainly had a big positive effect on the club.

"I would like to also add that I have been immensely proud with the way that the first team and management have conducted themselves this season and I have been very impressed with the way that Jon and Neil have communicated and engaged with the fans, supporters and the media. The introduction of Rebels Radio has been fantastic and I would like to thank John Porter for his hard work, dedication and professionalism. Unfortunately I was in London for the Rugby semi-final play-off game; however being able to follow the game as it happened live was absolutely brilliant.

"I would like to also mention Trent Phillips and Mark Betts who have both been an integral part of the successful management team, and of course club legend Kevin McGoldrick. As many of you know, Kevin has served this club for many years and his dedication to work extends not only to players of this club but too many ex-players and indeed to anyone who might need some assistance.

"I now, however, must also apologise. As at 3.45pm on Monday 5th May, I, perhaps like many of you thought our season was over. Trailing 2-0 away at Kettering in the play-off final and having been pretty much outplayed, I honestly felt that our season had ended. How wrong - what I witnessed in the second half (or what I could see of it!) was absolutely astounding and under the circumstances was, without doubt the best 45 minutes of football I have ever seen - it was breath-taking.

"Turning now to events off the field.

"This club is very lucky and blessed with people who volunteer and give up valuable time to help run the club. It is true to say that this club could not function without these people. I would firstly like to mention Glen Riley, who after many years stepped down from preparing the match day programme. Glen is largely responsible for making our programme one of the best and most read programmes in our league.

"Singling out people is difficult and I apologise if I miss anyone - however I would like to thank those people who have stepped forward during the course of the season to help out and this would include Mark Clements, Bernard Devine, Steve Chapman, Adrian, Ian Lathey, Tom Lathey, and many others.

"I would also like to thank those volunteers who turn up every match day to ensure amongst other things that balls are collected, changing rooms are cleaned, cars are parked, programmes are sold, golden goal is sorted, boardroom is manned… the list is endless. To all of you I say Thank You.

"I would like to thank the media team, led by Tom Gathern, which is responsible for Twitter, Facebook and keeping the website up to date. Tom also looks after the online shop. This is another one of those roles that goes unnoticed. So to Tom and his team we thank you. I would also like to mention Sue and her team who week in, week out look after ordering, promoting and selling club merchandise. This season has been one of our best for monies raised. Thank you.

"I thank John Tebbit, Warren Carter, Alan Smith and everyone who takes time to write and contribute articles to our wonderful programme. Special thanks to Steve Chapman for taking on the match day programme and also thank you to Gary House for his fantastic photos.

"On a personal note I would like to thank everyone on the committee, all the sponsors and in particular the Supporters Trust and MyFC. I would just like to add that this season I have not had as much free time as previous seasons and with regards to this I would like to thank Kay and Ian Lathey for their help and assistance.

"Again I know I may have missed some people out but basically a big thank you to everyone connected to this club. Roll on next season and let’s hope it’s as enjoyable as this one has been!