The following originally appeared in the programme for the Farnham Town game;
“Good afternoon, today we host Farnham Town FC and we wish everyone a warm welcome to the Iconic Stadium. I’d like to wish their management team, the players, all the officials and fans a pleasant stay with us and a safe journey home after the game.
Farnham Town FC have been excellent this year, the club are deserved champions of our league. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Harry the owner, Johnno and his Management team, especially Givo who is a good friend of Bully and myself and all of the Farnham Town players, some who I have worked with in the past, I must congratulate you all at winning the league in 4th gear, in my opinion! Fair play!
From the start of the season I have talked about the economic demographic of this league, with a feel more of a step 3 league rather than a step 4 one! That being said, you could have the most resources in the league or like us at the lower end, our game will always be about how you work with the resources you have. This is where I don’t think Johnno gets enough credit for the work he has delivered this season, as other managers in his position have fallen well short, I have nothing but the utmost respect for the work everyone has done at Farnham Town FC and I wish them every success in Step 3, where I believe they will again be fighting for another title this time next year.
To summarise our 2024/25 season at the club; the team has played 54 games in total, 42 league games and 12 cup games, as a group we won 21 games and lost 26 games, this is a huge improvement from last season, where the club only won 8 games all season. As a club we reached one QF and one SF, we have had our biggest FA Cup win in the clubs History, all work the players can be extremely proud of. As the Manager of the club, it would only be right for me to want more and I believe we left 17 points out there in games where we could have taken points from games where we were in full control but conceded late on. This data excites me, as it tells me this young group has more to give! I am a manager that has a management team around me that is ready to guide, support and develop this group, we will use this year’s learning moments to make sure we come back stronger next season. I set a target at the start of the season to compete in every game and stay in this division at all costs, I am delighted to say we achieved both! Thank you to every player that has represented the club this season and made that happen, you all can feel proud of the work you have given to the club.
As always this club is a class act on and off the field. This year hasn’t been the easiest one for me health wise and I am still managing that as we speak. I would like to personally thank a number of people that have backed me, supported me and they don’t get enough recognition; I’d like to start by thanking Chairman Andy, our lunch in January was the best Lunch I had this year! Every game we have a debrief and I feel this has been crucial in making sure we get the whole club galvanised and heading in the right direction, Andy’s efforts to make sure the pitch is ready to deliver results has been unbelievable, which leads me onto Borders, Luke & Lewis who work tirelessly with the Chairman to make sure the pitch is right. Rob Sutton & Keiran, who as Club Secretary’s you both have supported me signing players, match days, this year has been a real learning year, but we have got through it together. Ange & Den who have been brilliant with the bar and food after, making sure the players are filled up and ready to go for the next game. Chris works behind the bar supporting everything we are doing. Salil, who has looked after the players in such style and class, through my tough times this year, our conversations always make me smile, I appreciate you and all you do. Watto, a safe pair of hands as an addition, you quietly go about your work in an efficient way but it never goes unnoticed from my eyes! Rhys who basically does everything! best kitman in the league! thank you for your help with kit, match day, you have been great in the dressing room with all the players, Andrew and Daisy, both have kept the website on point, kept up with all the signings and to Daisy, who managed to take great pictures of what we have achieved and dressing room photos that always capture that winning dressing room, it’s so important we always celebrate success. The media team, Ollie especially, who has captured the whole season through our social media platforms, a space I know our players enjoy more than anything! John, our guy on the mic at every game announcing our goal scorers, we hear you! Craig, our Vice Chair, Graham the treasurer, the lads on the Turnstile! The Junior section of the club, the Mascots on match days, all the volunteers, all your work has been appreciated by me, my management team and the players, without the work of everyone above, we wouldn’t have achieved Step 4 football for another season, it’s always A MASSIVE TEAM EFFORT.
I’d like to finish by thanking my management team; Bully & Bowes, I said it last week but I am happy to repeat myself as many times, as my words will never be enough for the support you have given me! These 2 gentlemen have been medicine to me ever since I was diagnosed in May last year! They’ve lifted me, they’ve made me smile inside & out, with constant conversations, performances & results on the pitch! This award will never be enough, to thank them for the support they’ve shown me this season. They say loyalty is a dying trait in football! It warms me to say, that isn’t the case in these 2 fine men! 2 of the finest human beings you’ll ever like to meet! Being the Binfield Way is built on the characteristics of these 2 guys, to say the club has been in safe hands in my absence is an understatement! They’ve been my voice, arms, legs, my everything to the players, something I’ll be forever grateful for. We created the great escape together & they continue to support me with my great escape also. A small token but thank you both.
I am sure I have missed key people here and I apologise if I have! But my last thank you is to my Wife and my beautiful Daughter, who have been my rocks! Especially through every procedure, you’ve watched me in my sick bed on the phone 24/7 doing everything I can do to get results for this club, I love you both more than you will ever know. A poignant moment to mention everyone’s Wives, Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Parents, family and friends who have supported us all, you’ve all played a magical part in getting us to where we are today, you all are deeply appreciated.
I always say never stop believing! I now believe this club is in a much stable place 12 months on from the Great Escape, lets all enjoy the couple of months break, as I can not wait to see what we ALL can produce for the 2025/26 season TOGETHER.
Enjoy the game.
Rosco
