Whitstable Town FC

On behalf of Whitstable Town Football Club, all the players’ management staff and committee and all connected with the club I would like to wish you all a Very Happy New Year. It goes without sayin

I hope that you have all enjoyed supporting ‘The Town’ throughout this momentous year and will continue to turn up in your numbers to the Belmont showing your support for Marc, his staff and the team.

We have ended the year in Great Spirit thanks to the marvellous display by the lads against title favourites Dover Athletic when each and every one of them played their part to the full in a very creditable 1-1 draw. Given our current position (three places above the relegation places) the point was most welcome. However, if you asked me now would I take our current position at the end of the season, you bet I would as our aim, (forget about the wonderful achievements of Ramsgate and Maidstone) is consolidation this year; and push on for next.

What are we; as a club doing to move us forward?

Well; with the full backing of the committee I am exploring every avenue to ensure that the we can continue to provide the people of Whitstable with the best standard of Football we can. We are about to extend our lease at The Belmont with Canterbury City Council so that we can plan for the future in a more constructive way. The hard work that has so far seen us improve the clubhouse, the ground grading facilities, which we had to do to comply with the new league regulations, work in the car park and the revamped club shop done by the supporters club, together with a new tannoy system again by donation for the supporters, means we have a good foundation to move forward.

I truly believe we have in Marc Seager, Simon Halsey, Mark Lane and Graeme Brown the best management team, with the best manager to progress the football club. The reserves manager Ian Hossick and the U18’s Andy Raines and their respective assistants the future first tem players are being well looked after. Marc has taken some unjustified criticism since we have gained promotion, but I would ask where would you rather be, in the Kent League playing the same clubs we have for donkeys years or the adventure we are now on where every game is a test, every club is a new experience added to that the excitement that goes with the unknown.

I have a great relationship with Marc; it is open and honest on both sides and we are both working as hard as we can, given the clubs finances. When I was lucky enough to take on the chairmanship I took up the baton from Joe with the same ethos he had run the club by, we run the club without any debts, we pay our bills on time and spend no more than we can afford.

It only remains for me to thank you for supporting the club, in whatever capacity you can. For some it is turning up come rain or shine and paying on the turnstiles; or those who become more involved doing jobs around the ground as many of you have over the years. To you and your families may I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Tony Rouse: chairman WTFC