"It feels like the work at the football club has not stopped, as we have had another busy summer. Last year was such a memorable season that we had to ensure that the celebrations were befitting of the team's amazing achievements, which I think we managed.

"Firstly, we had the presentation evening, then a trip to Portugal - where I was pleased to survive a few days of solid drinking, and also the team’s best efforts to get me on to the Karaoke!

"Once that was done, attention immediately switched back to rebuilding our great club, and the hard work of planning for the new season.

"Tim, Chris and I met in May. Since then Chris has done a lot of great work again in terms of recruitment and pre-season preparations, strengthening both the coaching and playing staff to ensure that the squad is in the best shape possible. Whilst retaining his nucleus, we are all excited by the quality of the 5 players that he has brought in this summer. I think it is also important here to mention and give thanks to the 5 players that left the club this summer. Jamie, Kyonn, Kirk, Connor and Lorcan all leave with our best wishes and gratitude for what they delivered to the club. They are always welcome at the club any time as City Legends.

"So much work has also gone into further improving our thriving youth section of 27 teams (including an increase to 7 girls teams) and over 400 kids. It has never been in such great shape and the future really is bright, with special thanks to our incredible youth committee led by chairman Dan.

"Dan has also recently joined the main club board to illustrate our focus on our youth, who are the future players, supporters, volunteers, and sponsors of our club. So much more work has also gone into continuing to improve the top-end pathway. It is easy to talk about this, but I have been part of the working group in this area and have been impressed to see it genuinely working in action. Chris also deserves great credit for fully investing in to this, as not many first teams do at this level, supported fully by Rich Bray (reserves), Kev Brookes (U18), and their respective coaching teams.

"I have always tried to be open and honest with you all, as has been the case since I became the majority shareholder of the club. We are trying to continually move the club forward and restore it to its former glory, for the City to enjoy, which costs money! At the same time, we are simultaneously trying to lead the club away from decades of loss-making and toward financial sustainability, without an over reliance on any one individual, so as to secure its future.

"We are doing this whilst fighting with one hand tied behind our back, as we don’t own our own home. Other clubs at our level make huge revenue from using their ground as a venue, not just for match days, but 7 days a week, with events and hosting youth football. For example, hiring out venues for our youth football alone costs over £100k a year.

"The long-term solution is obviously to own our own home, which we are working tirelessly on. In the mean-time, we are also working hard to maximise our revenue streams, and Ryan, Rob and Karl are making great progress on improving our commercial income. We are grateful for the increased support secured over the course of this summer from sponsors, including new Blue Chip partnerships, with the likes of Mazak, and familiar favourites like the Pinches family.

"We have sadly also had to raise prices. Trust me when I say that we don’t do this lightly, as our supporters are by far and away the most important people at our club. You are at the forefront of every single discussion that we have at board meetings. Without you, we have nothing. We recognise that we can’t make City too expensive for you, particularly with times being so hard, so it is a difficult balance we are trying really hard to find.

"Another balance is maintaining a good match day experience whilst trying to make better financial decisions for the club – for example, we have switched the burger van that caters for our match days for this season, to one that are giving us a percentage of their turnover not just their ‘profit’ like the previous provider, meaning a significant increase in income for the club.

"As always I would like to take every opportunity to thank our board, and all of our incredible volunteers for the immense work they are about to undertake, and the time that they will give up across the season. We couldn’t do it without you. Also, a special mention here to Julian and Rob for the excellent book that they have just produced - it must have taken so much time and effort. It is a fantastic piece of work and a must-read for any City fan.

"So, as the season starts this weekend with an exciting FA Cup tie at home, I hope you all enjoy being back supporting Chris and the team. We must be pragmatic – as with every step up this season will be significantly harder than the last. We will not be winning every week, or scoring 8 goals in so many games! Remembering where we were 18 months ago, when we were near the bottom of step 5, nearly losing our beloved club - So let’s enjoy the challenge that step 4 brings. Let's excitedly get behind the team in large numbers, give them our wholehearted support, and enjoy the ride.

I hope you all enjoy the season.
UTC
Simon"