Page 539 - History of Parkside Football Club (1897-2017) Editied Version Completed_optimized

Parkside Football Club 1897/2017

SECRETARY'S REPORT

Fellow members please receive the 100th Secretary's Report of the Parkside Football Club.

The year has been a frustrating and traumatic one, mainly caused by forces outside our control, but
non the less we persisted only to be denied back to back flags in the final hour.

Our coaches performed well, their dedication and professionalism was a credit to

themselves and the club. For personal reasons Larry has decided to relinquish his position as senior
coach, and we would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all associated with the Parkside
Football Club to thank Larry for his contribution over the past two years.

To Martin Fletcher, our reserves grade coach, again on behalf of the club, many thanks for your
contribution over the years, and we wish you all the very best in your future

coaching endeavors.

The 100th year celebrations were a success, albeit 8 weeks late because of the City of Maribyrnong's
failure to supply a safe ground to play on. This factor, coupled with the saga with the lights and hot
water where responsible for the lack of atmosphere which did nothing for the morale of the club,
and reflected in our lack of form at home games. The saga with the new rooms continues. As part of
the clubs negotiating team I have met with the City of Maribyrnong on numerous occasions over the
past 15 months to try and achieve the best possible result for the club.

At the time of writing this report I am glad to advise that agreement appears to have been reached
with the council, meaning that we will be co-tenants with the Footscray Cricket Club in the new
facilities that are nearing completion, effective from the commencement of the 1998 football
season.

I would like to thank all those on the committee for their efforts. Also my wife Judith who ran the
canteen and washed and ironed the jumpers every week.

Thanks also to Gladys Davis for her fund raising work, and to Brian Watt who with myself marked the
ground each week

The percentage of the gaming dollar we receive is diminishing. If this continues as a trend it will be a
major worry for the club, and may mean that we need to rethink the way in which we handle player
payments. That is unless the club can find new methods of fundraising.

Thank you

James Lee

Once a Parksider, Always a Parksider