Sponsored by - S Rodgers, J Goodwin, B Millburn, PC Lettings, NSC, S Leonard, Give ‘em Beans, NSC & Surrey Barrovian

[spirit of 1990]

While litter picking the ground this morning (it’d be helpful if supporters used the bins, especially when right in front of them!) we found a black jacket in the HSE, it looks fairly new as well - so if you or someone you know walked home in the rain jacketless last night , it was handed in and is awaiting collection at the front reception desk.

If finding a jacket seems a bit odd, we also found a jumper in the away stand….That’s in the skip - along with the three points Oldham were expecting to take home with them!

[spirit of 1990]

New manager, new requests which mean new jobs!

We already had plenty planned for this season, main jobs being making and fitting new doors to the players tunnel, the boiler room & cellar doors plus demolishing & rebuilding all the turnstiles on Wilkie Rd. They’re two costly and time consuming projects. This morning we’ve been asked to do quite a lot of work in the home changing room that Adam Murray has requested - and that’ll start this Sunday.

If anyone can help out with a bit of painting and prep work to a reasonable standard it’d help us massively because they obviously need to be ready asap. If you can help out with a few hours here & there can you drop me a pm please.

[spirit of 1990]

It’s that time of year again - so apologies

We are looking for any companies, or person(s) willing to sponsor us for the coming season. Originally we used to rely on one bigger main sponsor but we’ve since found it’s far easier to get more sponsors involved donating smaller amounts. Even if sponsoring isn’t for you but you’d like to help out financially we take smaller donations off people all year, virtually as important to our funds as the actual sponsors. We’ve been so lucky over the years with our sponsors - John Goodwin, Stu Rodgers, the NSC, Tony Shearer, Bill Millburn, Steve Leonard, Give em Beans, PC Lettings, Dandy’s & Surrey Barrovian amongst many many others….without them we wouldn’t be able to do anything other than litter pick - which in itself is a huge job.

We have so many things on the go this season (actually, every season!!) it’s going to be a huge drain on our finances so any cash we can add to our kitty is a massive help. The home changing room is getting a complete makeover as requested by the club and Adam Murray. All the turnstiles on the Wilkie Rd side of the ground are being stripped back to the bare bones and rebuilt as we did the the garage corner turnstile last year. We are removing the frame and doors to the players tunnel (they are years past their best) and making new ones from scratch. We will do the same to the boiler room & cellar doors - again….years and years past their best. Improving the stewards area - which has never been great. These are the main jobs/projects we have on the go but there are dozens upon dozen’s of others, not one WON’T cost money but ALL will improve the stadium.

If you think you could help out with any size donation or becoming a sponsor you can reach me on ianrainford@aol.com, a PM on here or through the club who will put you in touch with us.

If you would like to see how money is used you are more than welcome to pop down one Sunday morning and we can show you around, most jobs are ones supporters would never see.

Thanks for reading.

[spirit of 1990]

Once again, and it happens every year, the response to our sponsors request has blown us away - probably our best ever in a single close season. The main sponsors are on our header but the donations off many people on here and some of those who travel with us on our buses to away games has been amazing. We’ve said it a million times but without these donations we’d simply be a group who collect litter after a game. That alone is as important as any other project we do, them lads and lasses save the club a small fortune, not only pick litter but separate it for recyclables, I doubt any other football club have people doing that.
I also think it’s worthy of a mention even though he’s always said “no” to us putting him on the list of sponsors in previous years - Tony Shearer has always given us a very generous donation each season since the takeover. We never expected anything this year with the news that came out on Tuesday but he messaged me last night saying his “dosh” (as he put it ) will continue to be sent over.

We have not only had cash donations but over the years we’ve built up a really healthy connection with many local businesses who are always there donating surplus stock, that saves us literally thousands each season. One of those who have always helped us out are Graphix Signs, an absolutely amazing company, well worth giving them a call if you are looking at a work van covering, car “wraps” (I think it’s called).

Once again, a huge thank you to all who donate, it really does make our role so much easier. If you are thinking of donating please drop me a PM or pop down the ground one Sunday morning, don’t underestimate what even a fiver can do in terms of buying something that doesn’t cost the club a penny in labour.

One more very special thank you, Marion who is there virtually every week with us is an absolute gem, every week she makes us sandwiches, sausage rolls & brews. I don’t know how we’d manage without her

[spirit of 1990]

If you read the statement by Paul Hornby the other day you’ll have noticed he touched on the work we have going on, the important one time-wise is the home changing room upgrade that Adam Murray requested. There are two rooms opened into one in there, the first room will be for the starting 11, the second obviously for subs and squad players.
So this is where we are - the first room is virtually complete construction-wise so them lads have moved into the second room but we’re really desperate for some people who can paint….just to an average DIY standard. We’ve even looked at paying a tradesman (that’s how desperate we are!!!) to help out but no one is available when we’d need them.

If you could help out, please get in touch, either through a PM or contact me at ianrainford@aol.com or simply turn up on Sunday morning - although we’d prefer to know beforehand. Even if it’s not a Sunday we can work around a few hours when you are available.

We really are desperate, a couple of pairs of extra hands would help massively.

[spirit of 1990]

The home changing room coming together nicely now, still going to be a push to have it fully completed by the first home friendly….but it’ll be 90% done & very usable. The old pine cubicles have gone and replaced by cleaner sharper colours. Boxes also made & added as requested by players. Much more going on in there than the pictures show but we’ll wait until the job is completed.

Have to thank the two people who read our request for help painting and volunteered to help out, one did a cracking job today and the other possibly midweek, a huge help.

Also a very kind gentleman who has given us some very generous donations in the past, turned up today with another large donation for the GMV kitty. Thank you so much Bill, very very kind of you and it’s greatly appreciated.

[spirit of 1990]

The first of the turnstiles upgrades gets close to being completed.
The whole (leaking) roof has been replaced, the breeze block wall which was collapsing has been removed, it’s been painted out, the small partition wall removed as it was cramped and awkward for supporters to pass through. The new white plastic cladded ceiling and new lights were fit today. A new exterior door to be made and fit and it’ll be onto the next turnstile.

These have been very kindly paid for by a fantastic donation off the NSC…..an organisation well worth joining.

[spirit of 1990]

One mad rush over the weekend & today to try and get as much sorted as possible for the first home friendly. Not done yet (it never is) by a long way but everything is useable and safe.

[spirit of 1990]

Terracing cleared of weeds and pigeon crap. Steelworks end seating cleaned as best as we could.

[spirit of 1990]

Path on the pop side cleared and made safe.

[spirit of 1990]

And finally - a well deserved break & brew.

It’s been another mad close season and the pictures are only the quarter of what’s gone on.

A massive thanks to all who gave up their time to get it all somewhere near ready.

[Wintergreen]

Great work guys a credit to yourselves and the football club.

[MisterPleasant]

Thank you each and every one.

[Windy Pete]

Brilliant work fellas

[Louis29]

Mr Allington must think it is BAE all over again sat having a brew whilst work should be going on!!!!
From his old apprentice