29/1/08 - From the Boardroom

RANGERS STILL FIGHTING
It is now 8 weeks since we changed the coaching side of things and since then Neil and Kevin have been working really hard to get some results on the pitch. We believe that whilst we have played some good football, good results have eluded us. We have to face facts that we are now propping up the table -not a position that anyone involved with the football club is happy about!

Realism though does not however mean that anyone is giving up and everyone will fight to the bitter end. Thanks for the support you have given Neil and Kevin so far. They have the full backing of the board. Keep letting them know you are in their corner.

Tamworth - Don't you Dare Miss It
This Saturday's (2nd February) game in the FA Carlsberg Trophy against Tamworth is hugely important to us from both a confidence perspective and financially. Hopefully we can progress through to the next round. Neil Grayson has a dream of becoming the oldest player to run across the turf of the new Wembley and his players will be doing everything they can to beat Tamworth in what should be a great game of football between two local teams, so make sure you don't miss it!

Despite results not going our way the atmosphere in the dressing room is fantastic and if guts, determination and enthusiasm were goals we would be scoring a bucketful.

We really need a good crowd for this game so encourage everyone you know to come and support us and create a great atmosphere for both sets of players and fans alike. We also look forward to welcoming everyone from Tamworth, we are sure that they are as excited about the prospect as us.

Touch The Cup
The FA Trophy will return to Marston Road this Saturday for the first time in nearly 30 years, prior to the home tie with Tamworth, as part of the FA’s Customer Relations Roadshow.

Fans with have the opportunity to have their photo taken with the famous trophy during the event which will be held in the Social Club prior to the tie with Tamworth. Rangers won the competition twice at the old Wembley Stadium during the seventies.

The FA Customer Relations Roadshow provides supporters of Clubs the opportunity to obtain further information on Competitions and The FA in general and to generate a wider local interest in the participating teams.

FA staff would be at the ground approximately three hours before the kick-off of the Third Round tie with Tamworth and stay until the game kicks off at 3.00 pm. They will also be giving fans the opportunity to participate in a free competition to win four tickets with hospitality to this season’s final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 10 May 2008.

From The Bench
With regards to the players we are sure that you were as delighted as us to see the return of Marco back to fitness -his enthusiasm for the game is infectious and seeing him find the net again on Saturday was great. Another of our long-term absentees Del is starting to regain some of his sharpness. One of our most improved players recently is Ross Draper who is playing brilliantly alongside Kevin Street who never stops running. We need Nathan Smith back to his exciting best and hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. Recent recruits Ryan Lynch, Matt Hazley and Damion Jarrett are all playing well and the team is generally gelling. We need David McNiven to find that net and do what we know he can do best. Throughout the team there is a desire to turn the position around and a great performance against Tamworth would give all the team increased confidence for the task ahead. Kevin and Neil confirm that they have no new injury problems for the weekend and are confident that we can field a winning side that can progress into the quarter finals.

Supporting Local Charities
Last Saturday we were delighted to present cheques each to the value of £1650 to three local charities that are supported by the club. Representatives from The Donna Louise Trust, Katherine House Hospice and Hospital Radio Stafford were at the ground to receive the funds, which were donated through the FA Community Shield Trust initiative.

New Appointments
We have appointed a new Sports Therapist, Steve Bateman, who is already in situ with his team to introduce new fitness and more importantly specialist rehabilitation programmes to get players back on the pitch at the earliest opportunity.

You may also have seen a new face in the technical area during the games. Dave Cook was asked by Kevin and Neil to give us some experience on the touchline on match days and ensure that we maintained communication when Neil and Kevin are both on the pitch. Dave has been in the game for many years with Shrewsbury Town and Northwich Victoria and is providing his services free of charge and we are grateful for his help.

Sack the Board
Now we have got your attention!
No, despite the chants from a few misguided souls the board are still here and working hard in every area of the club. We're not perfect, well some of us think we are, but we can assure all the supporters that we are trying to maintain Conference football at Marston Road as well as meet the financial demands placed upon the club of which there are many with never enough money to go around. We are fans ourselves if we weren't we wouldn't have got involved in the first place! However if anyone would like to join us please don't hide yourself away make contact and come and join us-it really is easier than we make it look! Oh just one thing you need a great sense of humour and a thick skin.

Commercial Activity
Audra is still working hard to try and part you from your money so if you want to support us in any way your first stop is Audra on 01785 602431, 07968 388546 or by email audra.srfc@tiscali.co.uk. We still have one match and ball sponsorship available and other great promotional ideas to promote your business in Stafford so don't be shy give her a call now for opportunities available during the rest of this season. We are already taking bookings for next season for all aspects of promotional activity. Thanks also to all our match day mascots this season who have all had a great day. There are still some available dates for new mascots left this season so give Audra a call today to book your place!

A Welcome Return
No football club can operate properly or lawfully without the support of a good safety team and we know you will join us in welcoming back Simon Button our Safety Officer. Simon underwent major surgery in December but is now recovered enough to come back earlier than expected and despite not being 100% couldn't wait to get back to normal. Since he joined us he has done a tremendous amount of work making sure we comply in all areas and it's good to see him back in the yellow jacket. In his absence his deputy Darren has done him proud and thank him and all our stewards for their hard work they are appreciated.

Volunteers Needed
A great number of people help out the club on a regular basis and we do want to thank them all for their help. If you want to find out how you can play a part in helping Stafford Rangers please contact Mick Hughes in the first instance on 01785 603430.

Communication
You're right we are not brilliant at it but we are trying to improve. Weeks fly by and other issues need dealing with that seem to take precedence but we aim to get better at talking to you about what is happening at your football club. If there are specific questions you want to ask the board or suggestions to pass on, please email them to Audra at audra.srfc@tiscali.co.uk and she will direct them to us. We will do our best to try to answer them honestly and get them posted to the website.

Any changes we make are we believe in the best interests of the football club to try and ensure that Stafford Rangers are here not just for next season but also for many seasons to come. We have to battle on and need you with us.

Thanks for your support

SRFC Directors 29th January 2008