Good evening. I started to prepare this speech prior to the defeat on Monday and on the basis that we would have achieved promotion.
I realised that despite the result, I did not need to change it, because tonight is still a celebration of the tremendous season that we have had. The season surpassed all expectations, the FA Cup run, the victories over teams with bigger squads, bigger budgets and bigger egos and then reaching the playoff final after providing another shock by winning at Evesham in the semi. The season started with expectations of survival which after the first two games seemed unlikely! But after finding our feet we went from strength to strength and fully deserved the success of reaching the final and the accolades that came our way.
We are very fortunate to have a football management team who work extremely hard in delivering success. Wayne, Matty, Lee and Clive deserve great credit for the achievements even delivering a Wembley appearance for the first time in the Club's history!! I am sure you will join me showing our appreciation of their efforts.
As well as the management team we have a group of players who understand what it means to play for Larkhall. We are clearly the best Club in the area and once you play for the Larks you will never play for another Club where you will feel so valued by everyone. But equally as a Club we are grateful for the effort you, the players, have shown and the entertainment you have provided this season.
Not only have the first team been tremendous this season but the Reserves have had a great season finishing third in their League while also playing some great football. Griff, Yorkie and Symmo have worked hard all season and will hopefully achieve promotion next season.
The Club really is growing from strength to strength: last night Larkhall Ladies won the Somerset Senior Cup 4-0 against Lydeard Ladies, continuing recent success and winning more silverware for the Club. In addition we see the continuing integration of the Youth with teams from under 7 all the way through to the under 18s playing with the Larkhall badge on their shirts. There are now some 250 boys and girls playing football at the Club: indeed today and tomorrow sees the Youth tournament taking place which has been organised by Ian Swann and Kerry and Mat Headen.
Off the pitch the Club continues to develop the facilities. This season has seen: the ground fencing and pitch surround; the turnstile building;the medical centre, and starting next week we will see the new pétanque facility being constructed. All of these have been developed with the aim of providing a facility for the next level of football and one which can be enjoyed by the wider community.
Tonight is not only a celebration of the achievements of the players but also an evening to show our appreciation of the people behind the scenes who contribute so much - whether it is Clive and the grounds team, Tracey, the League's hardest working secretary, Garry and the match day hospitality team, Barry Gay and the bar staff, Colin and Trish in the turnstile, Dave and Leila doing the 50/50 draw, the car park team, Gracie, Alfie and Alan who keep the Club up to together every day, Jim and Lindsay who have worked tirelessly on the ground developments and of course our supporters who have turned out in great numbers all season. Please join me in showing our appreciation.
I would also like to recognise the contribution and generosity of all our match sponsors, particularly Rodney Walton, Dave Laming and Steve Hall who have sponsored and supported the Club this year. We truly are grateful and I would like everyone to join me in showing our appreciation.