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At this festive time it gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Trust Board, to wish you all the compliments of the season and a happy and prosperous 2012.
I can think of no better way to spend a Boxing Day than by watching the traditional Lincolnshire derby between Lincoln City and Grimsby Town at Sincil Bank or looking forward to next Sunday to welcome in the New Year with the return game at Blundell Park with the Mighty Imps gaining a six points return, although I’m sure fans of both clubs would have preferred the matches to have been in the Football League rather than, in all due respect, the Blue Square Bet Premier league.
The reality of the situation is that it isn’t the Football League and both clubs have had to “cut their cloth” to meet the challenge and as much as some people don’t like it or won’t accept it such actions are a necessity.
While investment is wanted and needed and who knows what will happen in that area in 2012 at Sincil Bank, or for that matter at Blundell Park, it is sad to reflect that, through no fault of their own, several members of the “backroom staff” at the Bank have lost their jobs in the past year as the reality has “sunk in” and the required actions have been taken.
Now, more than ever, is the time for fans to use their own talents, in whatever field they are, to undertake voluntary work/duties at Sincil Bank whether it be on a match day or non match day.
One thing that has been crystal clear in our visits to, what I would call, traditional non-League clubs this season is just how many voluntary workers there are and the wide range of duties they perform. We, in the Trust, like our friends in the Red Imps Travel Section and Lincoln & District Supporters Club who have over the years done so many things voluntarily, are keen to see many more fans join the “voluntary team” at the Bank.
While financial times are hard for many supporters and we recognise that the same few people cannot continually dig their pockets, we in the Trust are very pleased with the success of the Gold Members scheme which since its inception has raised over £100,000 for the club and the Silver Members scheme which has been introduced in the past year.
The Trust’s community work goes from strength to strength, especially in the Park Ward area and also with youngsters. It was very pleasing to see that despite all the extra training, etc, the players have been involved in, they were able, amongst other things, to visit both the Children’s Ward at the
The Trust’s membership committee work tirelessly to not only find ways to enhance Trust membership but also to gain extra benefit for members and the links with Jacksons Building Centres and the recent one with Bridge McFarland are of great value to members.
In what undoubtedly has been a difficult and hard year for the Club and the Trust I still remain resilient and steadfast in my support for the Club. The vast majority of the Trust members continue, through their various means of communication with the Trust, to show their realism and understanding of the Club’s position and their positive support for the Trust with many positive comments being received and acted upon.
While unfortunately there haven’t been many playing highlights in the past year, social highlights for the Trust have been the annual “Race Nite” (keep your eyes open for the date of the next one in the New Year) which is not only a great night of fun but also a good fundraiser, the memorable 35th Anniversary Dinner to celebrate the great Fourth Division Championship winning side of 1975/76 and the visit and inspirational talk from our old friend and World Cup Final referee Howard Webb.
The future of a club – whether it be on or off the field – are the youngsters so it was with great pleasure that the Trust presented, at the recent AGM, a cheque to Youth Board Chairman Roger Bates to sponsor one of the Club’s development teams. On the Trust front I am delighted that, prior to the recent Ebbsfleet home game, a new “Junior Trust” section was set up.
So a disappointing year draws to a footballing close for the Imps with the game against
In looking forward to 2012 I make the promise that the Trust will continue to do things in the appropriate and right way, that we will give our ‘critical friend’ support to the Club and not stand in the way of any appropriate investment in the Club.
Keep the faith, come on you Red Imps and here’s to a successful 2012.
Chris Ashton,
Chairman,
