It was a disappointing weekend last Bank Holiday, losing league matches to two of our local rivals, Hemel Hempstead Town and Slough Town, but we must not let that detract from what has been a fantastic season. It was frustrating to see us not hit the potential we know we have within the squad, but if we were offered mid-table and a televised FA Cup First Round tie at the start of the season, I would have bitten your hand off.

We have one final game left this season and we will be looking to go out on a high. Tomorrow, Saturday, we travel to Dorking Wanderers. A full-time, financially heavily backed side that make no secret of their ambition to get back into the National League as soon as possible. It is looking like it will be the play-offs for our hosts. Although only three points off top spot, amazingly they currently sit in sixth place with just one game to go requiring a miracle. There are going to be some sorely chewed fingernails from 3pm on Saturday as those top sides scrap it out for the one automatic promotion spot and as high as possible finish to have the best possible chance in the play-offs. A dramatic day ahead.

For us it will be a celebration of a season, and we will certainly be going all out to get a result with no intentions of making it easy for Dorking Wanderers and giving them an easy ride. We can also start to look ahead to next season, and we have already started conversations about strengthening the squad and building on what we have achieved. This is a very tough league, and it will not get any easier next season. There is no room for complacency. One good season does not secure our place at this level. You only need to look at Aveley who finished in the play-offs last season after promotion from step 3, but this season find themselves relegated. It is an unforgiving league. We know that.

We are budgeting for an increased playing budget for the next campaign to drive the club forward on the pitch because I firmly believe that the success of the senior men’s team filters down throughout the club driving standards in our other teams and makes our youth section something every football loving child in the area wants to be a part of. This season we have made huge steps forwards in bringing the club together under one umbrella. It was magnificent to see the men and women’s senior teams share their Awards Evening a couple of weeks ago and there will be players from both squads playing alongside each other in the forthcoming Alex Horne Comedy match. Seeing the club working together as ‘One’ is every bit as rewarding as any three points on a Saturday afternoon.

You will not need me to tell you that all of this comes at a cost, and we are going to be working harder than ever to maximise our income streams. The support from local businesses for advertising and sponsorship has surpassed all hopes and expectations with renewals for next season already ahead of targets. Thank you so much to all those local companies that believe in what we are doing and have shown your support, we will be working harder than ever to raise awareness of your brand and deliver a return on your investment.

Our support on the terraces this season has been amazing. To think that crowds of over 1,000 have become regular would have been unthinkable 18 months ago, but we need to build on that and keep offering a product and matchday experience that keeps you coming back, along with even more people. We need to work harder on promoting matches and why not be ambitious and look for regular gates of over 1,500?

I have already mentioned that, bringing us more in line with other clubs in the league, we will be increasing the entrance fee by £1 and season tickets, which will go on sale after the season finishes, will also be increasing. Full details will be available soon, including a special early bird offer for season tickets purchased before the end of May.

We may not have the biggest budget in the league, and we have very much punched above our weight this season with what we have. A large part of that is our excellent management team, but I would also like to believe that we have a reputation of looking after our players and treating them well, making us an attractive club to play for. In the past we have funded players recuperation after injuries and paid for operations, and we have done that again in the past couple of weeks.

Many of you will know that Ryan Upward sustained a nasty Achilles injury in the Farnborough game a couple of weeks ago. The injury looked bad at the time, so we arranged for him to have a scan on the Sunday, he met with the consultant the following Tuesday and this week he has been operated on. The club has paid for this because we know that Ryan’s livelihood depends on getting back on his feet, forgetting the football for now. He is self-employed with a young family and has lost his source of income. As a Chairman, I cannot just sit back and ignore the fact that this happened whilst wearing a Chesham shirt. Whilst we obviously have a required level of insurance for all our players, it does not cover this level of support.

The cost to the club has been over £6,000 and I am hoping to appeal to the goodwill of our supporters and local people, that are willing and able, to contribute towards our Players Injury & Rehabilitation Fund which has been set up for circumstances like this. In the past we have had a tremendous response to this excellent cause, and I hope we can do so again. The £6,000 is not included in the club’s annual budget so is not currently allowed for, which makes the fundraising page so important. If we could find 60 people to contribute £100 we would achieve our goal and I know Ryan, and everyone at the club, would be hugely appreciative. Click here for details.

I hope to see many of you at Dorking tomorrow, it is an all-ticket match so please see their website for ticket details and make sure you purchase online, a reminder also that Dorking’s ground is CARD ONLY with no cash payments available so prepare appropriately.

Meanwhile, as we prepare for our final game of the season the women’s first team are also preparing to welcome London Bees to The Meadow on Sunday for a 2pm kick-off – tickets available online through our Fanbase system. The FA Women’s National League Div 1 SE is now decided (Real Bedford promoted to Tier 3 and London Seaward / Ashford Town going down) and so there’s nothing apart from pride at stake. However, do come down and cheer them on in what I am sure will be a tough and entertaining fixture. Entry as always is through The Chess Suite.

Thank you as always for your support, you have been magnificent.

Peter Brown