There’s a great energy building around the club at the moment, and although I have just stepped off the plane from a break in Porto, I have been keeping in touch with all that has been going on. Let’s start with a big push for tomorrow’s Ground Tidy Work Party – we’ll be meeting at 9.00am and working through to around lunchtime. As ever, we’d love to see as many volunteers as possible down at the ground as we give The Meadow a bit of TLC. This is one of those yearly efforts that makes a real difference – tidying up the terraces, strimming the overgrowth, sweeping the paths, a touch of paint here and there. Please bring any brooms, brushes, gloves, strimmers or general gardening tools you might have.

We’re rightly proud of the work that goes on out on the pitch – but it’s equally important that we take pride in how the ground looks and feels. A well-kept ground reflects the spirit and standards of the club, and we want every supporter, volunteer, player and visitor to feel welcome from the moment they walk through the gate. So, if you’re free then please do join us for a morning of good company and honest work – we will make sure cooling drinks are available also!

Behind the scenes, we’ve been busy preparing in all departments. This week we took delivery of new bench wear for the players from new league partners Errea and ordered in the new league footballs for the season – a small but satisfying moment, seeing everything starting to come together in readiness for pre-season. There’s something about a stack of new footballs and a row of fresh kit that just signals that a football is returning, like most people, the Club World Cup going on is doing little to replace the real thing!

I am absolutely delighted with how the squad is shaping up, and I know our management team are as well. We’ve already announced five new signings, with a further one tonight – keep an eye out. It’s a growing list of excellent signings announced in recent weeks, and I’m very pleased with the mix of experience, flair, and hard work we are building.

Keep your eyes peeled on our social media channels. Once our squad is confirmed & announced, we will have what we believe to be a very strong squad in place for the start of training next week – with competition for places and hunger across the board.

We are not just working on the pitch either – far from it. A huge amount of time and energy is currently going into securing new business partnerships and sponsorships ahead of the season. These relationships are a vital part of how we run and sustain the club. From pitchside boards and shirt sponsorships to matchday hospitality and programme advertising, we have had great conversations with both returning partners and potential new ones – all of whom can see the value and community reach of being associated with Chesham United Football Club.

If you or your business would like to get involved – whether it’s in a big way or as part of our wider network of partners – please do get in touch by contacting Michele Brooks at commercial@cheshamunited.co.uk. We have packages to suit all budgets, and we are always keen to work with local people who share our values and want to be part of something special.

Speaking of being part of something special – a quick reminder that season tickets for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign are on sale now via the club website. Sales are already looking very healthy, and I want to thank everyone who has renewed or bought early so far. Not only does this help the club with important financial planning, but it also shows the strength of support behind the team as we head into only our second season in the National League South.

If you haven’t already got yours, now is the perfect time – lock in your place, enjoy the best value, and get ready for another exciting campaign of football here at The Meadow. We’ve worked hard to keep prices fair and accessible, and with the signings coming in and preparations well underway, I think we have got the makings of another exciting year.

On a personal note, it has been a fantastic week, not only have I had a fantastic holiday in the amazing city of Porto, visiting FC Porto’s ground & museum (I call that bit working!), but whilst I was away my son received his university results – a First Class Honours Degree in Microbiology. I am so proud of that result, I would love to say I taught him all he knows, but I don’t think any of you would believe me!

I hope to see plenty of you tomorrow morning, tools in hand, helping us get the ground looking as good off the pitch as we want to be on it.

Peter Brown