It wasn't to be this time
The cup final. The crowning glory on a season, but not for us this time. Played in glorious Easter sunshine and in front of a crowd very close to 300, we Wick FC, came up just a little short in our quest for the trophy. Most of you would be aware it's not been the easiest of season's for our club. Numerous managers in the dug-out, huge amount of players pulling on the red and black but all the while we've managed to stay pretty competitive and in the end Division One cup runners-up.
Credit to Steyning Town, their first trophy in over 30 years, and like London Buses a second might follow within the next 7 days as the season comes to an end next weekend. They scored at the right times in the game and we just couldn't get anything going, one of those days and given what this season has bought us getting to the final is a very good achievement, definitely a base to build on next season.
Whilst we still have two more games to play, Easter Monday at home to Littlehampton and next Saturday at home to Sidlesham, we're already into our plans for next season. Thoughts are turning towards commercial opportunities for next season, pitch repairs and what we can afford to do around the ground. After next weekend our attention will turn to our management team next year and what direction we'll take. There is no agenda, it's very much an open book in our opinion and we'd welcome anyone with an interest in the job.
We're still to meet to discuss our plans for the bar and clubhouse and how we push the venue even more for next year. Meetings are also planned with the Unicorn who groundshare with us and our own Under 18 team to get them integrated more into the club for this season. We are very aware we still need to generate money over the close season because bills will still need to be paid and we need to start this season with a better bank balance to ensure we're not playing catch up all year as we have been.
I'm sure there are a few other things I've forgotten, fingers crossed as I depart as Secretary at the end of May/June most things are in place ready to go for a successful season. To be completely honest, it can't be any worse than this one! The experience has been a very mixed one, great one minute and tearing my hair out the next, it has given me some great blog pieces this season and that will continue into next season but from different angles.
I'm looking forward to not being so tied to the club, I've had very few opportunities to get to watch Barnet this year nor visit other clubs that would make a good blog piece. I won't deny it's been a drain on home life with issues there that themselves are only close to resolution over a year after they first started and I tip my hat to those who've done it year in, year out. I can't say it's something that appeals to me in the future either, what is being asked of volunteers is crazy. I can only imagine it's even crazier further up the food chain but with the same monetary restrictions as at this level.
Fingers crossed we're in the shake up next season with more plans for extra divisions going in above our levels, we want to be in the mix but with the ability to sustain it. A tall ask, but no point if you don't challenge yourself...…………..