Still seeking Chairman

Gorleston F.C. held their A.G.M. at Emerald Park on Monday evening.

Chairwoman Ann Santon welcomed everyone and once all the formalities were completed made her report. Ann advised that having only taken the chairmanship on a temporary basis while the Club tried to find a new one, she had completed her year but due to health felt she would have to stand down for the forthcoming season. So we are still looking for someone to fill the chair.

 She did point out that during the past season all decisions had been made by the committee and this had worked reasonably well. This certainly proved the case when the Club staged the biggest match in a very long time hosting Norwich City at the start of the season, where things ran very smoothly and the visitors were impressed.

July 11^th sees a visit from an Ipswich Town X1 and the Club thanks Jimmy Hannant for his sponsorship of same.

Mick Santon, after seven years, stood down as treasurer and his role has been taken over by Mick Kenmore who has been helping the Club out for some time now. Kevin Meale, due to work commitments has stood down as secretary and the Club welcomed Martin Gaines in his place.

Micheal Heard, long standing committee member, stood down but will continue with his match reports. Warm thanks were made to everyone on and off the committee who had worked so hard and given up so much of their time over the past season. Special mention was made to David Gall who sponsors player of the month, Maurice & Joan Butler for their help, June & David Cook who have been instrumental in the success of our Sporting Nights and Tony Smith who despite his busy schedule managed to sort out the accounts. Best wishes were sent to grounds man John Nichols who has been poorly for some time now. Congratulations were made to President Jimmy Jones on receiving his MBE.

Ann then went on to say that on a more serious note with the present financial climate money would be extremely hard to come by but they would continue to do their best. Mention was made of the Sailor Brown Memorial Trophy Tournament being held at Emerald Park on 25^th July. With teams from Lowestoft, Kirkley Gt Yarmouth, Blofield & Gorleston taking part it should be a fun day.

Ann finished by stating what a great club Gorleston is with terrific helpers and the best supporters.

Outgoing Secretary than made his report. He stated that on the field last season it was as best can be described as a case of ‘so close yet so far’. The first team under managers Jon White & Martyn Sinclair was in contention for promotion right up until the last few weeks of the season but once again just falling short in a very competitive league, they also managed to reach the semi-final of the Norfolk Senior Cup eventually losing to the winners Kings Lynn Reserves.

The reserves with managers Paul Williams and Alan Smith moved into the Ridgeons Reserve League last season and did extremely well finishing third in the league. Next season they will be joined by Gt. Yarmouth and Norwich Utd. They reached the semi-finals of both the Norfolk Junior Cup and the Chell Trophy.

The U18’s was a major rebuilding job last season as the majority from the season before were overage and resulted in us having a very young side who in fairness struggled against bigger and stronger teams but to their credit still managed to finish in a creditable mid table position. Chris Clements has brought in Adrian Harris to help him this season and hopefully with the benefit of last seasons experience and the addition of some new faces will be able to challenge this year.

Looking forward to next season we have already lost Lee Hunter, Ricky Butler and John Bell all to Norwich Utd. No doubt there may be others with the lure of money but the manager states he is confident that we will be in good shape when the season starts.

The Club has started pre season training already and a number of friendlies already arranged including as already stated the Ipswich Town X1 on 11^th July, Dunstable Town on 18^th July and the Sailor Brown Tournament on the 25^th July. Full details of this will soon be available but Sailor’s daughter Julie has agreed to travel down from Scotland to present the Trophy.

Price of admission will remain the same at £4 for adults and £3 concessions. We have also decided to  re-introduce  season tickets for those interested at £90 for adults and £70 concessions this will include entry to all 1^st, reserve and U18 league games but not cup matches.

Kevin then reiterated what Ann had said regarding the financial climate and stated how grateful we were to the supporters.

Election of  officers then took place, Ann & Mick Santon & Kevin Meale were re-elected on to the committee  along with new members Darren Webb, Trevor Gladden.

The meeting ended on a happy note with everyone looking forward to next season.