Chairmans notes ahead of Harleston Town Clash

Today we welcome Harleston on their second visit to the Riverside, for a welcome return to League action. Already we have now played 5 games less than league leaders Lakenheath, although we are in a good position being only 7 points behind. Harleston had a decent first season in the Premier Division under their manager, former Hall player, Danny Crow, finishing a highly creditable third place. . I am sure they are hoping for a top 5 finish this term to secure a place at least in the playoffs which are a great introduction this season. Their results so far have been a bit up and down with five wins and four defeats, but they are more than capable of stringing some results together to consolidate their top half standing, and launching a bid after Christmas. Danny only played a few games for us in our 2017/18 Isthmian season, as he sustained a nasty head injury at the delightful Hertford Town. He is a proper professional though and a pleasure to deal with.

We have had three games since our last home fixture, a 2-0 away win at Walsham le Willows, a 1-0 away defeat at Steve Holder's Hadleigh in the Suffolk Premier Cup, and then last Saturday, an excellent 4-3 away win at March Town United in the FA Vase. That was going to be a good test, and so it proved, but a superb fifteen minute hat trick from Tanner Call ultimately sealed the deal, although we were put under pressure late on after a harsh penalty award allowed March back into the game. By the time you read this, you will already know our next opponents, it is Sheringham at home.

A few people were slightly miffed by the defeat at Hadleigh, as Phil swapped the team around a bit, resting two of our ever present players, Ginger Messi, Jarid Robson and moving Adam Capel to right back. However, it did give game time to Casey Underwood who may well have been our best player on the night, and also skipper Luke Butcher played a full 90. Unfortunately, Butch will be missing for a few games soon due to a forthcoming operation, but he will be back soon enough I am sure. Phil Weavers and Adam Capel have certainly both performed well in the heart of the defence so we should be fine. It shows there is more depth to the squad this season, and this will be tested as the season progresses.

It was a really nice day at March last week. Their officials were very welcoming as ever, their fans were friendly, and they are just a very good club with an excellent ground. Its a shame they are not in our league, but that's the way it is. The visit brought back fond memories for Mark Butcher, who needs a bit of a lift after Norwich have seen Ipswich disappear over the horizon, as he played in the Cambs Invitation Cup final at March 30 years ago for Chatteris in their famous victory over Wisbech Town. All good fun though. Memories, banter, that's what football fans are like.

I was going to talk about the Harleston badge again, but I cannot work out what the story is, apart from that they were formed in 1885. I will be talking about opposition crests as we go through the season for a bit of interest.

I see that Ethan Mayhew scored for Bury on Saturday in their Trophy tie against Walthamstow, forcing a penalty shoot out, which they won after Stow failed with their first three attempts. A lot of money would have riding on that, (£2250) so well done Ethan, and well done Ricky for not having any faith in Chesney. Not the best decision we made to let Ethan slip through our fingers! Actually the prize money for the FA Trophy is well down from when we had our run in thAT competition. We got £5000 from the Lancaster game, and £3000 for beating Barwell, which I am sure was only the first round proper?

I should say my piece on Norwich United, but I don't want to disrespect their chairman John Hilditch, who I have always enjoyed chatting to over the years. All I would say is that it was a sad way for Norwich United to depart the league as they have been members (apart from a short spell in the Isthmian League like us) for as long as I have been involved at this level. The club always seemed to be dependent upon the patronage of John, which was probably the case, and was a somewhat precarious position to be in, so when it all went pear shaped, as the players departed before the season began, it was almost inevitable that it was going to end as it did. With no players and no manager, things were going to be a little difficult to say the least. We sort of had the same situation after our first season in the Isthmian, with no players until two weeks before the season started. As it happened it was really down to John Sands in getting us some players in to start the new season. That was a wild time for sure. Happy days? Well we have some interesting memories for sure of our second season in the Isthmian League.

Enjoy the game today, this is what the grassroots are all about, and it is just that bit more intimate than the professional game. We are all part of it, and Mildenhall needs its football club now, more than ever, to bring the townspeople together.