Page 3 - Raynes Park Vale vs Sheerwater FA Vase

Chairman's notes

We find ourselves, today, at the tail-end of a disap-
pointing run for The Vale. Four losses on the trot
makes bleak reading for players and fans alike -
especially after a start to the season that, while
maybe not promotion material, certainly hinted
at a period of promise here at Grand Drive. Yes,
we have said farewell to some players that were as
influential on the pitch as they were popular in the
stands, but we have also taken on some excellent new players who
have all shown that they have what it takes to replace the missing and
to go beyond. Yes, we have been on the receiving end of what can only
be described as some inconsistent refereering but, in all honesty, none
that could be said to have cost us games. Losses by margins of three
or four goals are as hard to blame on marginal decisions as they are to
take by everyone at the club. The match reports in 'Into The Vale' give
the details of some of our matches and it's not for me to repeat them
but it's important that, as a club, we maintain our belief in what we
have done in the past and what we can do again.
And this brings us to the FA Vase ...
We've seen some great visiting fans coming to Prince George's this
season and it's a pleasure to welcome players, supporters and staff
from Sheerwater today for what promises to be a hotly-contested cup-
tie. This is a moment for us to rethink, refocus and reset. A chance for
us to put a miserable couple of weeks behind us and remind ourselves
of what this club is capable of.
It's been great to see the changes around the club
this season. It's hard to remember what some of
the 'features' of the club were like before but
now we have a refurbished bar with local-
ly-brewed beers and our own Vale Ale,
a new fence going up around the
pitch, a new programme, new
continued...