From the Dugout (Happy New Year)

I was absolutely delighted we found a way to win on Boxing Day.

Even after a hugely disappointing performance against Launceston, we would have been strong favourites in many people’s eyes. Despite not hitting the heights this season, we were still fifth coming into the game and Bodmin  are very much in a transition period

We had a bit of adversity ourselves.

Chris Reski has been unavailable for a period, Jacob Smale was ruled out late, and we lost Lloydy to what looked like a nasty injury 15 minutes in.

On top of that, we had a setback in losing Rhys Hooper just before Christmas.

We always knew that he would be moving on at some stage, he’s been exceptional for us, a lad with a big future. I always thought when he left, it would be for perhaps a step 4 side. It’s a great signing for St Austell for sure but it’s a tough one to take.

So throw that all into the mix and we were far from certs to win the game and it turned out to be a dour battle in bottomless ground.

Simmo and Reevo were in my ear about going 2 up top for the last 20 and it was that move that provided the impetus for us to carry a greater threat and get the goals in the last 10 minutes.

It’s brilliant to have lads like Simmo, Reevo and Wittser to share ideas with.

Those guys will be even more to the fore for this match as I’m  popping down to Malaga for a bit of sunshine!!

I’ll be finding a bar, grab a pint of Cruzcampo and watch it all unfold on Veo.

Wishing you all a happy new year, and hopefully we can kick on again in 2024 and match last seasons top 4 finish

Cheers

I hope you can look back over 2023 with a degree of joy and celebration. For most there will have been some great times and some that were more challenging. Ecclesiastes says, ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh.

Over the last year I have had the privilege of being involved with members of the club in times of joy and sadness, that is part of who we are as a community of people. People of all ages, gender, background, sexuality, wealthy and poor. We seek to support one another, forgive each other, lift each other up when we fall, and celebrate the wins.

I would personally like to thank the many people who work tirelessly to maintain the club. Over the last week I’ve dropped by the club to find Roger and Dave Peck working on the ground alone. Ruth cleans up after us all and makes the place clean end welcoming. Behind the scenes Steve gives everything to make sure the club has a sustainable future. There are many more and we will celebrate more of the Club’s unsung heroes in the future.

Looking forward to 2024 we hope and expect it to be an important year in the life of Wadebridge Town Football Club. We have the best coaching staff, good players with experience and young players growing all the time. We have the opportunity to take the club forward off the pitch too as we seek to be a gift to the whole community, supporting those in need, and promoting wellbeing for all. Our new charity ‘Community Bridgers’ is taking shape and I’m very pleased to share that Tori-Ellis Willets, a young professional boxer has agreed to become one of the patrons of the charity and will work with us to promote our work in Cornwall and wider. She is a gifted and committed sportswoman who will be a great role model for young people. I will share more about this in the New Year.

How ever you mark a New Year I hope it includes space to reflect and be thankful. When you look forward, I pray that it is full of hope and a desire to live life in all its fullness. I pray for Lloydy and Sade looking forward to their wedding and I’m sure there will be plenty of other celebrations too.

The Methodist Church uses a covenant prayer which includes the words, ‘let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal’.

This prayer recognises who we are in God’s eyes, loved and treasured. Whatever our faith we have the choice of who we are, and who we become. What we contribute to our world and what we share of ourselves. Know that you are loved and valuable and make those around you know they are valued too.

Happy New Year to you all.