As we approach the halfway point of our season and enter the Xmas festivities, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of our players and club members for your continued support throughout this year. With all of your commitment we have a bright future.

Since we took the decision to withdraw from South Lancashire and Cheshire 3 and enter the North West Intermediate League last season we were and have been a club in crisis, with no guarantee of a home venue to play our rugby and a complete breakdown of player availability leading to a number of games being played with only 7 or 8 players on a number of occasions.

Well, when you reach your lowest point, the only way is up. We finished last season in 3rd place, a remarkable recovery and we could have been promoted until we were defeated at Eagle on a Wednesday night for the last game of the season (on the positive side though, 20+ players were available). So a great achievement by all the players, but special mention to Tom Chambers and Dom Moss for rallying the troops and putting a team out week in, week out and of course to all the guys who turned out for us.

During the summer, we held our annual tour to the Costa Blanca (it was a sight for sore eyes!) and the Annual General Meeting at the Vic Club. It was the most informal and best attended meeting in all my years at the club. When you see such support in numbers, you know we will not fail. With our limited facilities and our only objective to ensure players play rugby we set our annual subs at £20 (cheap at twice the price!) for all members. Well, this year has seen the vast majority of members cough up £680 so far. If you have not paid then please do so – your contributions keep the club going financially – Louie maintains a register on our website and I am sure you know who are (if you don’t we do!).

During the pre-season we also had the honour of Bryan Redpath, ex Scotland International scrum half and Sales Sharks Head Coach taking a training session – back to grass roots rugby hey, he did it with a fantastic approach and attitude – thanks to all who attended and also to Rob Moore for having the audacity to ask him whilst he was enjoying a quiet beer.

Not forgetting Stumpy's pre-season boot camp either. Not for the faint hearted – our very own "I’m a celebrity event"!

Since the start of the campaign in September, we have won all league and cup games (9 in the league, 1 in the Cheshire Plate, 2 in the Lighting & Building Services Plate), scoring some 585 points and only conceding 94 points. Some fantastic rugby is being played, especially away at Anselmians and more recently against Crewe & Nantwich 4ths beating them away 60-5. So we have our last game of the year at home to Linley 3rds tomorrow – Santa Hats and all. Let's close out the 1st half of the season on this winning streak. Let’s keep playing great rugby, let's keep the numbers up – let's maintain your commitment into the New Year.

On Saturday 27th December we hold our annual pool and darts event at the Swettenham club – do your best attend, don’t worry about the consequences as it is unlikely that you or your fellow muckers will remember anything either!

My thanks as always goes to those of you who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make Holmes Chapel RUFC the club that it is – never give up!

On the AP Club front it has all gone quiet, we know the Parish Council submitted a bid in July and have yet to hear if that has been successful or not. As soon as we hear anything we will let you know. We will continue to have access to the facilities until a decision on the long term future has been agreed. In the meantime if you have any question s on this subject please with either Steve Hatton, Darren Saffill or myself.

I would also like to give a special mention to Jim Stevens (our guest tourist this year and former hooker!) – as many of you will know, Jim had a kidney transplant last Friday, donated by his Dad Martyn – what a gift and what a father. Well Martyn made it home earlier in the week and Jim finally made it home last night. Our best wishes go out to both you for a speedy recovery and a prompt return to good health.

On behalf of the club I would also like to send our best wishes to Kevin Gormley who is also currently in hospital. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and to see you at the club again soon.

Finally, let’s look forward to 2015, we can this league and we win the cup – no doubt in my mind, the performances on the pitch have been fantastic, so let’s keep up that winning streak. Have a great Christmas with your families and friends.

Best Wishes

Mike