END OF SEASON REPORT 2010/11

The past season presented our Management Committee with many problems. Firstly we faced the early part of the season having to cope with having to use porto cabins on both the South and East Marshes due to the late completion of the new Hackney Marshes Centre facilities sited on the South Marsh. You must forgive them for the delay, they’ve only had over four or five years to put them in place, but during that time the whole Olympic site has been mostly completed, as was the new travellers’ site which was set up in no time at all.

In spite of the difficulties we were put to, the great majority of teams and their players did their very best in the circumstances and carried on without too many complaints. Actually I imagine conditions would have been far worse if it had not been for the excellent support provided by all the Marshes Rangers, Management and staff, so we have a lot to thank them for, particularly for Steve, our ranger on the East Marsh who was almost a member of our committee, and I am sure that Alec, who was ever present on the South Marsh, would say the same regarding the support he got from the rangers on the South.

I think we got by without too much trouble due to the remarkable dry weather we experienced during the winter months. Had it had been our usual mixture of gales and torrential rain, I don’t think we’d have been to happy facing the elements particularly on the East Marsh after the porto cabins were taken away after Christmas which left us all exposed to elements. Yes, at times it was very cold, but we Sunday footballers are a hardy breed!

I have mentioned the negatives regarding the past season in earlier monthly comments, so I won’t dwell on them anymore and instead I will refer to the positives of the past season.

It goes to follow that as a league it is important that there is healthy competition in every division, and by and large last season the divisions were competitive except for a few exceptions that we hadn’t seen coming, but rightly or wrongly a league is usually judged on the strength of its premier division and last season this division proved to be one of the most exciting in terms of many teams being capable of winning the top prize throughout the whole season. Eventually our congratulations have to go to Real Romania FC, the eventual champions, but they happened to be more consistent than their rivals who managed to slip up whenever they looked dangerous.

Let us not write Lapton FC off, they failed in their attempt to win a fifth consecutive title but proved that by winning the leagues’ two major cup finals that they are still an exceptional side.

So congratulations to all the winners of the divisions, the cups, and all teams that were runners-up and those who by doing so gained promotion to higher divisions. Commiserations to any teams that were relegated, I hope they don’t lose heart because it helps a club sometimes to recharge their batteries and bounce right back the following season. Not every club can take the honours so it is best to try and enjoy your football especially if you are playing with your mates, believe me when I say make the most of it while you are able to play, because its frustrating when you can’t do it anymore, and I speak from experience.

As I say, I try to remain positive, and on the whole and in spite of all the difficulties, there was much to enjoy about last season. I still look forward to every Sunday morning when I meet my fellow colleagues on the Management Committee, plus the referees, and the players and managers and secretaries of clubs. There is always great camaraderie and humorous banter between us all before the games, not always after I must admit, but we all seem to enjoy ourselves and get along fine.

Ted Gore, our General and Referees’ secretary, was always in his little corner on the East Marsh Car Park providing cups of tea and biscuits for the referees, and our old mate Macca was always on hand to troubleshoot any arising problems by walking round all the pitches, because lets face it, he is the only one capable of trekking round the pitches. Ted’s legs are almost as bad as mine, so we have to leave it to Mac. Speaking for myself, I really do need some time off to reboot myself, but I really do miss it and always look forward to the new season ahead.

Finally, I think most of our Clubs, their players, and all their officials, understand that there has been problems last season and that most of them were not of our making. My colleagues on the Management Committee worked harder than ever behind the scenes in order to provide football for this area of London. Largely this hard work is unappreciated by leaders of the wider community who sadly don’t recognise its value, but my colleagues don’t ask for thanks, they do it because it is our lives and we all enjoy it. So I would like to thank them all personally for all they do in keeping this league up the top. Also I would like to congratulate Dino, our Website designer and Manager for a magnificent website, so please can everyone contribute to it a little bit more. Remember that your committee look at the forum to gage what our members’ are thinking and the forum is the best option to get your thoughts over to us.

We all know for certain that due to the East Marsh closure we will have to work harder than ever to survive, but if everyone pulls together we will cope. Thank you all for taking part; you are all doing your bit to keep grass roots football alive.

Best wishes to all and I hope to meet each and every one of you next season.

Johnnie Walker, Chairman