The League One fixtures were announced on Monday. I’m not allowed to reproduce them here, as football is unique in being perhaps the only customer focused business in the world which doesn’t want its wares promoted. I’m reluctant to keep using the word surreal as I believe I overused it last year, but looking at a list that includes Crawley Town with Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Preston North End et al I’m not sure that I can think of a better one. How did this happen? Why aren’t we looking forward to the visit of Forest Green Rovers, or a trip to Woking? Actually, we are looking forward to a trip to Woking in pre-season, but you know what I mean……It makes no sense. Two seasons ago we were winning promotion at Tamworth. This season, if we manage it again (what am I saying?) it might be at home to Coventry City. Nurse, where have you gone with my nice jacket….the one with the wrap-around arms….?

 

We’ve a collection of interesting pre-season friendlies to get our teeth into before the real stuff starts with a trip to Millwall in the League Cup or whatever it’s called this week. Far more interesting, if you’ll permit me, than in previous seasons. Playing Chelsea or Spurs youth teams is all well and good, but much better we have competitive matches that stretch the squad and give us a good indication of where we are. Charlton, Peterborough and Millwall will do that. The away games should be fun too- Three Bridges, Woking (remember when we’d have been the underdogs for that one?), Bromley and perhaps a reunion with CTFC legend Ben Judge at Tonbridge- what’s not to like? And it must be said, the sooner we start the better, as David Hunt seems to have set himself the target of drinking enough coffee to kick start the economy of a small European country- perhaps we should transfer him to AEK Athens and rescue Greece? Or perhaps not….

 

From a CTSA perspective, we will have our travel details announced shortly. There will be no price increases. We have a two year agreement with Clarkes of London- the premier coach operator in the country- so we will be keeping our prices low. Last season we were the cheapest official travel provider of any team in our league. We aim to be the same again this year. It isn’t about making profit, it’s about supporting our team. So get yourselves ready for our trip to Millwall (and sadly, Swindon) in August.

 

The CTSA AGM is on Thursday July 19th. We hope to see you there. Thanks for all of your support last season- here’s to more of the same. League One? It’s just the Conference for big boys! Nothing to worry about……….!

 

Take care

Ian

Chair- CTSA

chairman@ctfcsa.co.uk