Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone, and thank you for joining us last weekend for our 5-2 win over our local rivals Holyport.
I thought that Holyport gave a great account of themselves and they were a lot better than their league position suggests. I wish Lee, Daniel and his team all the best for the rest of the season.
Welcome to our visitors Fisher, who compete in a very strong Southern Counties Premier league along with previous FA Vase opponents Tunbridge Wells and Bearsted.
In the previous round, we played a very well organised Tunbridge Wells. I thought they were a brilliant side who in fairness to them put a lot of pressure on us and the scoreline perhaps didn’t reflect the full context of the game. That said, our game plan and preparation work was based largely around being effective for the pitch conditions and I have to say the boys did exactly what was asked of them on the day. We were clinical when we needed to be and defended superbly. The real stars of the day, however, were the supporters and how many made the journey especially when it was cancelled the week before. A special shout out to Howard, who planned a family trip just so he could watch the game for the initial date of the tie before it got called off the first time around! Again, thank you so much for your continued support.
It’s been a real stop-start few months, having only played 7 games since the beginning of November. Real credit to the management team for keeping the group consistently engaged throughout this period. I’ve been really impressed with the squad’s dedication to their fitness levels during a time of minimal games and of course for them to continue this great run of form throughout that period is particularly pleasing.
For anyone wondering about some of their favourite players who have been absent. Ben is still suspended and continues to look into his options for an appeal. I think it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the work and effort Ben has put in off the field during this time. In a time when it would be easier to give up, he’s continued to consistently show the character of what it takes to be the captain of our football club.
Bax we regularly have with us at training keeping himself ticking over, and he’s looking forward to being back in the shirt as much as I know you are all looking forward to seeing him.
Thumwood, as you saw last week with a goal, is finally back from chasing lions and wildebeest about on his honeymoon. Big Emile, the biggest bloke to win a game of hide a seek against me, had been found now ankle intact and he’s back training with us. We even got a little treat and saw Mo this week at training.
Once again, thank you so much for all of your support. For me personally, the team and the club, we never take that support for granted. It’s one of the many things that drives us to work so tirelessly as a group to help push the club in the right direction.
I thought I would leave you with a quote from one of our senior players who shared this with me this week ‘honestly, Stag Meadow is one of my favourite places to play football. The environment, the crowd and people’.
This is the infectious effect that Windsor & Eton Football Club has on individuals, something we’re all so proud to be a part of.
Enjoy this special occasion playing in the last 32 of the Vase,
Webby
These notes appeared in our matchday programme against Fisher FC
