Good afternoon everybody and welcome to Greenfields for our very first Unibond Football League Division 1 South fixture and the dawning of a new era in our very short footballing history. Today we welcome the players, supporters, management and committee of Grantham Town Football Club. We hope they enjoy our hospitality and have safe journeys home later.

              After much hard work both on and off the pitch the realism of what we, as a club, have achieved is now starting to become very real. From the County league through to the West Midlands league and the Midland Alliance League we are at the 'dizzy heights' of the world  famous Unibond Football League. This season we will be entering the FA Trophy for the very first time as well as the Unibond League Cups. To be in the same league as much more familiar non-league teams as Witton Albion, Chasetown, Sheffield and today's opponents Grantham is unbelievable. It is a challenge that we know will be extremely difficult but exciting, and certainly one we are looking forward to. The previous few seasons of hard work striving for this moment must not be wasted. I am sure there will be many tough times ahead but we must accept them, take them on the chin and carry on fighting as we have always done. That was and still is our most prized asset as a team, squad of players and staff. As a manager I am very proud of our recent achievement's but as always I am very keen to keep this club progressing. Keeping our Unibond status is essential but with a full squad I am very confident we can surprise a few people this year. When you look around and read what other teams in our league are doing in preparation for this season in terms of players and budgets we are very much 'small fry' but as you are all aware we have always been small fry in every league we have been in but have always been competitive and punched above our weight. As a result of our limited resources we have developed other characteristics that a successful team need and have managed to breed over the past few years a tremendous bond and spirit. I like to look at us as being very unfashionable but so far very successful.

              The past 7 weeks of pre-season have been very tough for many reasons but now the league season is here it is now that everything matters! We must work as hard as ever, dig very deep into the depths of our resolve, be brave and very committed to the cause today. Unlike last season we must expect to be on the back foot at times today and through the season and be able to handle that and stick together on the pitch and rally round each other in order to get through and come out the other side smiling. Those that can't do that will find life very uncomfortable this season. I for one can't wait to get going, the waiting is not my forte.

Any supporters wishing to come to next Saturdays game at Glapwell can come on the coach we are providing, to book your seat please any of the committee around the ground today. We have started up this season a '100' club which is a monthly draw where the 1^st prize is £100 and a 2^nd prize of £50. The cost is £1 per week and we are asking as many of you as possible to sign up today for it. It is a great opportunity for you to win a large amount of money each month and to raise some much needed funds for the club. Again please see any of the committee today to get your name by one of the numbers which are left. We would be greatly appreciative of your support.

              Thank you all very much for coming today, let's hope everyone enjoys this momentous occasion and that we see as many of you as possible back here again soon to support our debut Unibond League season.

Simon Line