Hello and thank you for coming to Longmead Stadium for this afternoon's Bostik League match. A warm welcome to today's match officials and the players, officials and supporters of AFC Hornchurch. Also to our sponsors today Jump-in and C-tech

I hope everyone enjoys their afternoon with us and wish you all a very safe journey home. Our visitors may be below us in the league but as I have written before any of the teams are capable of beating each other even Dorking the league leaders could slip up. Whitehawk and Wingate and Finchley both rooted at the bottom of the table a few weeks back have started to put results together and are moving towards safety. So we have to be positive and determined and trust that we can put a few of our chances away to stop our recent goalless run behind us.

The games against Merstham, Lewes and Enfield whilst not footballing classics were evidence of the determination of the team to battle hard to get a result. We now have three home games two in the league and one in the cup which we need to capitalise on. It has been good to see some of the academy players on the bench gaining the experience of being in the first team squad.

The ladies were unable to win their cup game on Sunday against their close rivals Maidstone but still have one more semi final to come this weekend.
It is with sadness that I have to write about the passing of one of our long time supporters John Jenner. We have not seen John at the ground for some time due to his poor health but his sons Kevin and Dave have been stewards and his daughter in law is our physio Tina. We will have a minutes applause prior to todays game and send our condolences to his family.

Progress has been made regarding the grant money from the FA and an application will be made to the FA The club will host a sporting dinner on the 25 April with Bruce Grobbelaar being the guest speaker. It will I am sure be a very entertaining and please come along full details can be found on the club's website.

Electricity bill for February it is hoped will be around the £1400.00. Still a sum that has to be found but not as bad as the January bill of £2053.91.

Please do not forget the club in the close season as this is the period of the year where those who do not like football have the chance to visit Longmead to attend the events that we are hosting.

The Garden and Craft Show on the 11 and 12 May is going to be the biggest yet and the variety of exhibitors is amazing and will provide something for everyone. If you would like to help out please speak to Trevor Brittain or Sarah Parks. Angelfest on 24 25 and 26 May is being organised and it is intended to have a variety of ciders, including so I am told the very popular 'Double Vision', as well as beers and a gin bar.

Club Tropicana will also be coming along please look out for details. Volunteers will be asked for during the next few weeks to help out. The Scatonics will also be making a welcome re-appearance at the marquee after Angelfest and as a special bonus Club Tropicana are looking to hold an event and I would ask that you keep your eyes on both ours and Club Tropicana's websites. Please don't think that volunteers have to work all the days at these events even a morning or an afternoon will be of great help.

I make no apologies for reminding everyone that it is very difficult for clubs at the moment and it is very important that that club continues to work with our sponsors and all of us try to find new ways to promote and advertise the club. I have to make an apology to anyone who has left a message on the club's answer machine but due to operator error only some of the messages have been picked up. It may be easier if possible to use the contact details on the website.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend and please enjoy your afternoon with us

Dave