Page 3 - Raynes Park Vale vs Rusthall

Chairman's notes

Having tripped up against Broadbridge Heath FC in the
FA Cup Raynes Park Vale showed the spirit of the team
and the club to notch up two consecutive wins against
quality opposition that bolstered confidence amongst
players and supporters alike. However, a home loss
against local rivals Sutton Common Rovers during the week provided a
reality check of how tough the competition can be in the CCL Prem. The
old adage about there not being any easy games in any league can be no
truer than in the league that we compete in. With a few exceptions, mon-
ey is tight. Throughout the league there are teams and players, such as we
have at RPV of great quality and determination. In these times all teams are
struggling to a greater or lesser extent from the effects of the CoVId-19
pandemic so no-one at the club should underestimate the task ahead for
us – or for any other team. We know that Grand drive is a testing place
for teams to come to – we have a fighting spirit at the club that can and
should be a concern for all visiting clubs – but no wins are going to be easy
as we push ahead in the season’s league campaign. There is great belief and
ambition amongst the team and management and we, supporters and staff
will back them all the way, as ever. In the meantime, away from the grind of
the league season the loss in the FA Cup shifts our focus onto the FA Vase
competition. This is not a sideshow. Cup runs do more than just bring in
much-needed revenue. These competitions pit us against opposition that
we might not, otherwise encounter, give us a chance to play outside of our
comfort-zone, provide an opportunity to contest matches in isolation from
the long-view planning of the league and give us a chance
to put the name of Raynes Park Vale F.C. even more
firmly on the footballing map.

UP THE VALE!!!
John Dalton

Chairman,
raynes Park Vale F.C.