Holiday Chaos and Pre-season preparations

I've unexpectedly found time to update the blog thanks to another Calder family holiday twist of fate. Now I'm not going to moan as I've had some great holidays, but I don't recall holidaying being so tough when I was a kid. After last year getting stranded in Teneriffe with the ash cloud and then a week later being booted out of Luton airport when they cancelled our flight to Prague last minute at 10.30pm; having previously had a weekend in Edinburgh spoilt by a text from British Airways telling us our flight home was cancellend; and previous to that our once in a lifetime trip to Lapland involved spending 4 hours on the end of the runway at Gatwick, during which time they had to remove all passengers on a day trip as it was not worth them going (fortunately we were on a 3 day trip)... This year we deliberately chose not to fly anywhere, it's just not fun anymore, and we seem to attract bad luck.


So this summer we booked a caravan in Southsea for 3 nights and then plan to head to Weymouth for the remainder of a fortnight, what can go wrong? We're all packed, food ready, route planned, pick the kids up from school tomorrow and off we go...That was the plan up until the phone rang this afternoon and it was the caravan park informing us that we could not go there tomorrow as the boiler in the caravan was broken. Apparently no other alternatives and we are now not going on holiday tomorrow. For anyone interested (and I will get onto football soon) a new date has been arranged to slot into the middle of a Weymouth holiday, with an upgrade and "bar vouchers" - we like that - but it does mean I may well be at Burnham on Saturday now.

So what of the football? Well, anyone who saw Friday night's game against Crystal Palace Academy could presumably not fail to be impressed? A friendly means nothing, but for a first outing we looked sharp, very sharp. The new players drafted in over the summer added to the team, undoubtedly, creating competition for places whilst slotting into the amazing team spirit that has built up over the 5 years of Andy Leese's reign. There was no doubt that we needed to improve our goalscoring record, and in Simon Thomas we look to have found that goalscoring gem to challenge Steve Wales for that golden boot. The 5-1 win was entertaining and only served to whet the appetite for the season to start.

Since I last wrote, you are probably not surprised to hear me say that things have been fairly chaotic. Andy is definitely strengthening the squad ready for a planned assault on promotion, although...I know, yawn...we are obviously having to keep a close eye on the finances. Going into pre-season we are delighted to have four players on contract at the club which is the most I have known since being involved in the management, but I feel it is a reflection on the belief we have in the current squad and also a realisation that we are now a club attracting the attention of what might be described as bigger clubs (more financial clout). We need to clearly display the signs: Sorry, our players are not for poaching.

Following my last post about the League AGM, I confess to being disappointed, if not surprised, to get no response to a constructive and supportive email I sent to the league offering feedback from the AGM and help in looking at getting other member clubs feedback and suggestions of venues. I guess too much time has passed by now to be able to get any genuine feedback which is a real shame because that has the potential to be an excellent weekend...With a change of venue and a bit more hospitality towards attendees. Fortunately (though I have oodles of sympathy for the fans), Rushden & Diamonds will not be joining our league next season so any fears raised from the AGM were unfounded - a 48 hour delay to our fixtures being released caused further alarm, but I am re-assured that a possible change of heart on the Northants club was not the reason for the delay.

When the fixtures were released I was delighted that we are finally starting a season with a home game, Barwell will provide an interesting test for the first match having been promoted from one of the regional Northern Division leagues last season, their record over the past two seasons suggests they are not really used to losing games. If the first game is unknown, there is no doubt about the fact that the next three games will certainly be tough as we take on sides that I expect to be in the top five this season - Brackley (surely cannot underachieve for a second season), Chippenham (always up there) and Cambridge City (more than capable of winning the league). Those first four games will give us a very good indication of our title credentials...and from what I have seen so far, I think we could be up there.

The draw for the cup comptetions has given us hope, last year's income from these matches was negligible. The defeat to Wealdstone in the FA Cup was a blow (the only game Steve Wales was unavailable for - Mr Sod and his law, the same bloke as which books my holidays) and our Trophy performances against Salisbury City in the toughest draw possible were admirable, but ultimately ended in defeat. It is impossible to explain the impact an FA Cup and FA Trophy run can have. If we can overcome Horsham at home in the Trophy and a Step 6 side (same level as our Reserves this season) we will pick-up £5,200 - not to be sniffed at, believe me. However, what we cannot do is budget for cup money. That is the downfall of so many clubs. You need to give youself the best possible opportunity to win decent money, there's room for a little speculation to accumulate, but it cannot be relied upon else you are asking for trouble.

So, where are we financially? Well, it's not brilliant, I'm not going to lie to you. We got through our first twelve months thanks to a good starting position, some good fortune and some generous support. None of which can be guaranteed for another season. But, what we do have is a management account system that I would challenge any other football club in the country to match. We know where every penny is, every single day. What needs to be paid, what is coming in and where any alarm bells might start sounding. That is so very important because if a big hole is going to appear, we need to know how it is going to be filled, because, sorry, I can't fill it.

A lot of work has been going on this summer to look at the finances, ways of increasing income. I am delighted that we have been able to engage the help and support of Mike Winn who has added some business acumen to everything we strive for and offers a totally fresh view of everything we do, making suggestions that we have never contemplated before, and convincing us to make decisions that we may have been too heart-tied to make. We have no intention of disrupting the good work that goes on, but some of it needs to be streamlined and we need everyone pulling in the same direction and embracing the idea that we may now have volunteers doing things that were once paid for. People will dispute the rights and wrongs of that, but personally I think it's great as for too long we have had the anomally of some people getting paid disproportionately to others, even the case of those putting in considerable hours for nothing having to arrange the wages for another...it just didn't sit comfortable with me. Call it Cameron's Big Society, call it charity, call it slave labour...I like to think it's about a love of Chesham United.

The other major development in recent weeks is - are you sitting down? - the development of, get this, a business plan. As Chairman of the Supporter's Club I never wanted our money to go into the black hole of running a club and since becoming Chairman of the main club I have felt guilty about asking people for investment without being able to paint a genuine picture of what that investment contributes to Chesham United Football Club. As I write this today, we have the first draft of a business plan for the next three seasons. The significance of it being a three year plan is important as this takes us to the end of our first season without the albatross of a historical debt hanging around our neck. For many many years now the club has been paying back a loan that was used to clear past debt, the extent of this burden is approximately £16,000 per year (more than 50% of our gate income), paid on a monthly basis. Finally there is a light at the end of that particular tunnel and our  business plan is aimed at getting us to the end of that period and through a season without that monthly repayment.

Getting to the end of that loan repayment, in conjunction with new initiatives we have in place will be a massive breakthrough for this club and can make us genuine contenders in the non-league football world.  Our challenge is to maintain our Southern League Premier Division promotion credentials whilst making the money add up, that's what the business plan is about. I think it will work. I think it has to work. I won't lie, it scare the life out of me at times...I'm still just that fan who wants to see the team succeed and would love to say "yes" to everything, but tough decisions have to be made by the Board, and that is not enjoyable.

The business plan was presented to the Board on Wednesday night and seemed to go down well. The plan will be tweaked and presented to people that deserve to know where there investment goes and to offer a re-assurance that they are not throwing good money after bad. There is a plan. If we can get the support. If we can get people to share our future vision. You know what? I think we have the making of a bloody good club.

I've spoken before about my concerns about the whole Supporters' Trust and club relationship, or more what is the distinction between the two. You may have heard now that myself and Giles Stevenson have resigned from the Supporters' Trust board. This is a purely positive move and should be seen as nothing more. During our June board meeting we dispensed with the agenda and had a brutally frank discussion about the reality of what we were trying to do and how the whole ownership and running of the club operated. It was immediately apparent that something needed to change, I had previously had conversations with people prepared to get involved with the Trust and myself and Giles opening the door for them, along with the excellent support of the remaining Trust committee, will benefit the club, the town and the community in general. I am genuinely excited about that.

Talking of excitement, our acceptance into the South Midlands Division with a Reserve team seems to be a better decision with every day that passes. Now that the fixtures are out, I really would not be surprised if there is a bigger crowd on the first Tuesday of the season for Chesham United Reserves v Amersham Town than there is for our First XI away fixture at Brackley Town. Everyone I speak to seems to think it has been a good move for the Reserves, and I really hope they do us proud and offer those supporters that cannot travel to away games another option for supporting the club.

Andy and I first discussed joing the South Midlands before Christmas when we were on the look out for a new Reserve team manager after the resignation of Geoff Glasgow. It's another one of those moments when you get slapped in the face by that realisation that you are more than just a supporter now. I would love to see our Reserves playing in the pyramid. Hold on a minute, I'm Chairman, let's apply for the Reserves to be in the South Midlands!! It's mad, bonkers and crazy...but we have a plan for the football club, and it's working, we need significant financial help for a couple more years, but it's controlled, and heading in the right direction...I'm proud of that, I just hope the town and supporters go with it.

I have to blatantly admit that I will miss most of the remaining pre-season if I can sort my holidays out. I'm hoping to take in a Weymouth or Poole Town game whilst I'm away, but I urge you to enjoy the friendlies; enjoy the Community Day when we offer free entry v Wingate & Finchley,but, more importantly, come along next Tuesday for the game v Barnet which is a competitive game for the David Stanley Memorial Trophy. David Stanely we will all remember as one of the greatest football administrators in the game. A genuinely wonderful person who would debate the rights and wrongs of football until the proverbial cows come home. He was always frank, honest and to the point. He kept this club alive through the 00's, dealing with bailifs etc in a way that only David could pull off. He was a model of non-league football, I feel guilty for missing the game, but hope as many people as possible support the match and we see a game of quality that matches that of David Stanley the person.

And finally. I will never forget when I first became Chairman, I took the advice of so many people. One piece of advice really sticks with me, and it was the first thing David Pembroke said to me - Don't let it get in the way of your family. Better advice I have not received, even if I have buggered it up from time to time, it's something I always bear in mind. That's why I thought I'd share the last words with you, albeit completyely unrelated to football...

A couple of weeks ago Thomas and I camped out at Knebworth House for the Sonipsphere Festival; a musical festival. A heavy metal music festival. It was basically my 10 year old son's birthday present coupled with a chance for Dad (me) to relive his past. It was a fantastic weekend, a great escape, father and son bonding and a realisation that I am ageing. Watching bands such as Anthrax, Metallica. Slayer, Motorhead and Slipknot (Thomas' favourite) over a three day festival camped out with not the best of toilet facilities may not be straight out of the good book of parenting...but when I look back over the photographs and see his smiling face, reliving the great times we had (getting wet watching Sum 41, being part of an emotional 60,000 crowd respecting two minutes silence for a Slipknot band member that died last year, snacking in our tent listening to Biffy Clyro and the sheer pride I had in Thomas' patience awaiting the amazing Slipknot set on Sunday night), it makes you realise how important it is to get the life balance right. Most people don't see the effort put in by some people, the time and dedication that goes unnoticed and unrewarded. Some people might think we become over sensitive to criticism, but it's not that, it's concern that our endless hours of unpaid dedication are not delivering what you, the supporters, want. That's the challenge we took on. We are encouraged that our model is working in so many ways, our business plan reveals a light at the end of the tunnel...I really hope we can stick together and emerge from that tunnel triumphantly.

I think we can. And I think, if you dig deep, you believe it too, between us, we can make our club great. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer, because footy, footy, footy is just around the corner...