Me and the Daft Lad decided to go to a "meet the new faces" fans forum - mainly to see what new boss Brett Marshall had in mind for the coming season. Also gave us a chance to meet Chairman Mr.Derek Blow and Commercial Manager Steve Peat.
I have felt recently that the "On The Road" blog was becoming a bit stale and I was going to jack it in. The amount of support for the blog has amazed yours truly - and that's when thoughts turned to changing things a little, if the blog was to carry on.
Both of us are Hucknall born and bred, and we only live about half a mile from the Watnall Road ground, so thoughts went to getting a season ticket for the Yellows, with travels to other grounds in between home games. Not only will this see us watching 21 Evo-Stik games at less than a fiver a game, it will mean more money for diesel/petrol for us to wander a bit further when Hucknall are away from home.
Hence the visit to the ground for the fans forum. Can we be persuaded to part with £100 each? The jury is still out, but at the moment it looks a distinct possibility.
We knew of Derek and Steve from their Rainworth days, and of course Brett from a few years back. Thought there may have been a few more fans in attendance, but those that were present must have come away from the forum with hopes of a "brave new world" around the corner.
The pitch was a major item on the Manager's mind - and with his style of football, he said he needs the pitch to be top notch - and when we went for a look at the playing surface after the meeting broke up, it already looked very good.
It was pleasing to learn that the football side of things will be kept completely separate from the boardroom - and apparently there will be a board when the club begins it's new era as a Limited Company - meaning the present Committee set up will have to go, I assume. Questions were asked about share issues, but I have to admit, the share issue "issue" was way over my head!!!!
Brett said he is aiming for a settled squad of 18-20 players - and mentioned that invitations have been issued to several players, including a good proportion of his Retford United NCEL Premier Division Championship team. Players from that squad, namely Jason Fisher, Warren Hatfield, Chris Baugh and Danny Hayes were in attendance. Not a bad foursome - but Brett did say that if he had to, he could turn a team out now with players who have shown interest in playing for Town.
Brett said that he wanted players to come to Watnall Road without having to persuade them. If they really wanted to play in his team they shouldn't need any amount of persuading.
Steve Peat intimated that a new shirt sponsor had been settled, news to break in Friday's Dispatch. Local Honda dealerships are also set to come on board. I asked Steve about matchday sponsorship, match ball sponsorship and player sponsorship, and he said these would all be made available as soon as he finds his feet.
AFC Hucknall are now to be known as Hucknall Town "A", and will play in the CML South Division during the coming season. The NSL reserve team has been consigned to the history books.
As the forum ended, we asked Brett about pre-season training. Half past one on Saturday afternoons might be interesting at Watnall Road - just to see who has been "invited" to train!!
