With the new season 2017-18 now imminent, there appears to be a new air of positivity and excitement amongst us supporters. The uplift in fortunes following Neil Warnock`s appointment as manager part-way through last season after what can only be described as a dire, uninspiring, start to the season, lifted the spirits of the fan base. The football was better, the relationship between fans and the management team grew as the season progressed, and people started to look forward rather than dwell too much on past problems.
Some fans may have had the opportunity to see many of our new summer signings playing in the pre-season friendlies but, for most of us, it will be either Burton away on Saturday, Portsmouth in the cup next week or Villa at home in the league on August 12 which will be the first chance to see most of them in action. Neil Warnock has certainly made several additions to the squad to refresh it and I think it now far more accurately represents the squad, he believes, is good enough for a promotion challenge this coming season.
Several players have also left the club, some because of the ongoing efforts to reduce the club`s wage bill and make it more financially stable and compliant with the Financial Fair Play (Profitability and Sustainability) regulations, but also because few of them were likely to be regular squad members in the future. Some further departures are likely before the transfer deadline at the end of this month.
I think that all fans will join me in wishing Neil Warnock and his team, with the support of the club`s board of directors and owner, the very best for the season and to give our support to his plans by turning up for games in as great a number as possible. Working together, we can only get better and stronger.
Off the field, the Trust continues its dialogue with the club`s board on key issues such as Financial Fair Play and the owner`s ongoing plans to convert all of his debt into equity to make the club debt free. These discussions at a senior level will continue on a regular basis throughout the coming season and beyond. In addition, the Trust continues to develop its relationship with the club`s Foundation, working on joint projects to help further the club`s relationship with the communities it serves. As always, any members of the Trust who would like to get more involved in its activities, at board level or otherwise, are most welcome.
Again, let us hope for a successful and enjoyable season. In what will be my 56th consecutive season as a fan (please feel free to comment that I don`t look old enough), I am more optimistic than I have been for very many of those seasons. Onwards and upwards.
Keith