Good afternoon and welcome to the final game of what has felt like a tremendously long season. A season which personally, in all my years at this level of football, has been the hardest yet (On the field at least).

After a non-existent preseason we found ourselves with 8 games in the first month which, to our credit and with an ever changing squad, resulted in a few points on the board.

In October however, we lost twelve players in under two weeks to serious injury, or other clubs tempting our lads to so called sunnier climes. I've never been one to complain about the money in football, some of the amounts on offer at this level would tempt anyone to move, but we seemed to be a target for clubs at the wrong end of step 7 offering a pittance for a (rare) win bonus. Some young lads do like the thought of telling their mates they're getting paid to play football when they should be chasing the level they're playing at instead.

On the flip side, we have been a stepping stone for a few this year to step 4, 5 and 6 clubs and we wish them well on their journeys.

The negativity of a harsh relegation from step 6 seemed to be in the mind of local players initially. Recruitment was difficult to say the least. We were extremely lucky to have had a connection with Chesterfield FC and their Community Trust who have provided us with some cracking young players that not only play the game the right way but are respectful young men. Without this link the task could have been near impossible.

We slowly started to tempt a few older heads to return to strengthen our young squad. Although our results haven't improved drastically as we have still lacked squad depth, the performances certainly have.

We now have a team with heart, togetherness, and a willingness to play for the badge, which gives us plenty to look forward to next season.

The project this year was always "off the pitch". The strides we have made in that regard have been excellent. The junior section in such a short space of time is vibrant and a credit to the club. I've no need to name names because everyone here has been part of the journey.

I'm conscious this review has gone on too long and know it will be costing the club money for extra pages, especially if Kenty is writing something as well. So, I'll leave you with this. Next season we will be better. We've already recruited well so I can have a few genuine weeks off before the hard work starts.

Finally, I can't write something and not mention our Captain Sam Stretton today. He changed our fortunes signing for us this year... (We lost 4 on the bounce).

He plays his last game before he retires to spend time with his family. I have to say he's a model footballer (not his looks, obviously). I just wish he'd had more time with us on the journey that we are just beginning.

At the end of the game if you could reserve your applause for him, I'm sure it will be an emotional day for all at the club.

Good luck Stret, don't be a stranger.

#CookOut