Today we welcome our close neighbours, Newmarket Town to the Riverside for the first meeting between the clubs at step 4 level. Newmarket have found points elusive so far this season but remember, we did not score against them last season, in three encounters, and they will be all out to gain maximum points from us today, to kick start their fight against the dreaded drop. We welcome their committee, manager Shinny, players and fans today, and let’s hope we have a good match today.
I am writing this prior to the Cambridge City encounter, so bear that in mind. We have secured three draws in our last three games, away at Sporting Bengal, home to Bury and then away at Grays last Saturday. These points all count and we are now on 21 points from 21 games, at the halfway point of this season. The previous two seasons in this league we faded badly in the second half of the season, especially 2017/18 when we escaped the drop by one point after sitting in comfortable midtable at the halfway point. The 2018/19 Season we just fell away from October to finish the season at the foot of the table. I really think this season, we have it well within our grasp to build on our current position, and secure safety well before the last week of the season. (Fingers crossed). The Bury match produced a massive performance from the team, the defence performing magnificently, and Popey having probably one of his best games ever for the Hall. It was more the same at Grays really, and we were slightly unlucky not to grab all three points from that one. So lets get behind the team for what should be an exciting few months of football here at the Riverside, and enjoy the game for what it is, pure theatre. Heros, villains, comedy and tragedy, its all there every week.
Since I received a ban for inappropriate programme notes last season, in the eyes of the powers that be anyway, I have to be very careful about what I say nowadays. However, I must ask you what do you think about Gareth Southgate’s knighthood in the New Years Honours List? Football has had some famous Knights, Sir Stanley Matthews, (a great payer and ambassador for football, played until he was 50), Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Moore, Sir Bobby Charlton etc, and now Sir Gareth Southgate. OK, that should provoke some discussion anyway. However, there is a history of England managers getting the award , Ron Greenwood, WALTER Winterbottom, Bobby Robson and Alf Ramsey to name the ones I know, and apart from Ramsey, Southgate has surpassed the achievements of the others. Personally, I think we have our own knight here at Mildenhall, and I don’t mean myself. We have Trevor Bennett who has volunteered to head up the club’s youth section, despite no real connection to the town or club, and the change is massive. The happy faces on the youngsters at the Christmas party, the happy faces every weekend when they play their matches, none of this would be possible without the leadership of Trevor, and ably assisted of course by Claire Darkins. 2024 has been a monumental year for the club for two reasons, firstly the success of the first team, led by Phil, Lloyd and Captain Luke, and secondly for the success of the youth section, led by Trevor & Claire, and backed up by some terrific coaches. If you get a chance, get along and see some of the junIor matches. They are very good.
I want to end this on that positive note, wish you all a happy new year for 2025, don’t let things get you down, things have to get worse to get better, which they will, and when you feel things are intolerable, get yourself down here to let your hair down, meet your friends and support the gift that keeps on giving, Mildenhall Town Football Club.
Enjoy the match, tell your friends and come again.
BILL FLYNN
Chairman
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