Pleasing progress

Having just returned from holiday it is very pleasing to see the progress being made by the club on various fronts.

I popped into the ground last weekend and the transformation taking place down there has to be seen to be believed. Many of you will have seen the work being done to the perimeter fencing but that is really just half of the story.

Inside there are big plans for the old gym area that has stood empty for some time now. The lounges upstairs are both being refurbished and the bar downstairs will also be coming in for attention in due course. The work though has not stopped there as the changing rooms have been completely gutted and finally brought up to the required standard which they should have been 18 months ago. A new medical room and changing area for women officials have also been added - something again that should have completed some time ago. The new ticket office and turnstile blocks will be added shortly to the Tennyson Road end of the ground.

Meanwhile the signings on the pitch are arriving at regular intervals with the return of the Defty brothers, Jack and Charlie, causing most interest. It appears that Charlie's contributions may be limited due to other commitments but I am sure that Jack will be a massive force at United Counties League (UCL) level following a very successful spell at Corby Town last season. He will also be club captain but Jack will need no extra incentive to do well for his home town team. From what I hear Scott Cubberley is another useful prospect who scored over 20 goals for Wisbech Town last term. With training getting underway at the end of the month it is expected that more signings will be announced in due course.

Last week I, along with secretary Martin Davis, attended the UCL annual meeting which was held at Kempston. We were both given very warm welcomes by not only the league's committee members but also officials from the clubs we will be up against this season. We were both taken back a little by the kind words we received and it is very obvious by their words that they are looking forward not only to hosting us but also to visit The Walks for their club's fixtures.

It is a refreshing change to experience this kind of enthusiasm towards King's Lynn. On the same evening the Anglian Combination held their annual meeting and it was disappointing that their member clubs decided to vote against our reserve side being elected to take part in the Premier Division. This resulted in some very quick thinking having to be done and again it was hats off to the UCL once again who even delayed the reserve league cup draw to accommodate ourselves. We now look forward to both of our teams play under the UCL umbrella.

Following on from that I and Martin were invited to Lynnsport on Thursday to give a presentation to the annual meeting of West Norfolk's sports council on the progress being made by the club on and off the pitch. It was an enjoyable evening and it was interesting to hear about the projects which gain support from the sports council. Our presentation was warmly received by those present and we both wish to thank the sports council for asking us along for the evening.

Finally for this week I noticed in the press recently that Neil Timms has stood down from his position as chairman of the supporters' trust. May I wish Neil well for the future and I look forward to seeing him at The Walks in the new season.

Take care

Mark