Hello and thank you for coming to Longmead Stadium for this evening’s semi-final of the Kent Senior Cup. A warm welcome to today's match officials and the players, officials and supporters of Bromley as well as the officials from the Kent FA.

I hope everyone enjoys their evening with us and wish you all a very safe journey home.

I am certain that the game will be hard fought with Bromley sitting mid table in the National League and it is nice to welcome old friends back to Longmead.

For me any game versus Bromley does provide mixed feelings as Bromley was the first non-league team that I supported, first going to their Hayes Lane ground in the early 1970's. When I moved to Tonbridge in 1977 I found that I had other things such as work to occupy my time so I fell out of touch with non-league football for over 20 years until coming to see the Angels. I do remember going to Swindon to watch Bromley's FA cup game in 1976 with a mate, the result was a 7-0 loss but the players did receive a standing ovation. Hopefully one of the players from that Bromley FA Cup team will be at the ground today, our own Phil Emblen.

Saturday's league game against Corinthian Casuals was spoilt by the weather conditions the ball being held up in the high winds and the unexpected rain did not make for a pleasant experience. At this time of the season it is all about points and trying to keep the players fit.

After the game James Folkes looked as though he had just come out of the boxing ring with his right eye swollen but he was in good enough spirits to entertain us all. It is a testament to the spirit and effort that not only the players but all associated with the club make it a happy and successful place with which to be associated.

An unfortunate accident occurred to one of our supporters in the main stand. The gentleman fell and hit his head and I would like to thank the speedy response of everyone who came to his aid to look after him until the ambulance arrived at the ground to take him to Pembury Hospital. I and the club wish him well and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Yet again the visiting officials and players commented on the excellent playing surface and some of you may have noticed the new bit of ground maintenance kit which is a Vertdrain machine. To put it simply it is attached to a tractor and automatically 'forks' the pitch to aerate it and help the drainage.

On Monday, Ollie a work experience lad is coming down to help us out, mainly on the pitch while he shares his time with Tonbridge Baptist Church.

We are working with building up our ties with junior football in the community and are encouraging junior sides to be mascots for the day. If you have a side that would like to take part please contact the club via its webpage and we will try to organise it.

At the last Board meeting we were reminded that the applications for next season’s teams have to be made to the various leagues by the end of March. This is mainly for the Youth and Junior sides but it is a major administrative task and we as a club are lucky to have Charlie Cole our club secretary to guide us through it.

Yet again please do not forget our many events that are being run after the football season has finished. This is when your friends and relatives can come to the ground and find out where you can spend your Saturday afternoons rather than going shopping.

The details are out for the sporting dinner on the 25 April with Bruce Grobbelaar being the guest speaker.

The Garden and Craft Show is on the 11 and 12 May. If you would like to help out please speak to Trevor Brittain or Sarah Parks.

Angelfest takes place on 24 25 and 26 May - volunteers will be asked for during the next few weeks to help out.

During the summer The Scatonics will be making a welcome re-appearance at the marquee and as a special bonus Club Tropicana are also looking to hold an event and I would ask that you keep your eyes on both ours and Club Tropicana's websites.

We are still looking for volunteers for litter picking, carrying out repair work, painting and general maintenance work. Please see me and we can have a chat.

Please take care, good luck to all our teams this coming weekend and please enjoy your evening with us.

And finally, if you like non-league football do have a read of Dave Roberts book The Bromley Boys which takes you through all the emotions experienced by football supporters of that level of the game.

Dave