It gives me great pleasure as chairman of the Football Club to wish everybody a belated Happy and prosperous new year.

It is clear that the club both on and off the field are continuing to make strides and the season 2024/2025 is certainly becoming memorable for all the right reasons with additions to the players, playing staff and to the many committee and helpers whom collectively make things possible.

Firstly, it is quite obvious that the first team with Ash and Gavin in charge as seen new players come to the club, providing much needed pace and energy with goal scoring very evident and an ability to be and stay up the field for longer, occupying the wing space and in the middle with penetrative effect. The ambition at the start of the season was to finish in the top 5 in the division and so reach the playoffs in the North East Counties Premier Division.

Also, both the second team, firstly with Newy and Matty, and now ably managed by Ryan John are securing their position in the new division they find themselves in and Nathan is doing the same with the ladies team and attracting- similarly with the second team- greater support than hitherto.

With an expansive junior section I believe we now have over 30 teams representing soccer in the village accompanied by a merchandising team headed up by Glen Carter, providing green and black attire to the eight thousand population of Golcar!

Off the field we have created a commercial manager (Dale Marsden), whom as re-engineered the web site and as such created additional sponsorship opportunities at the existing and at higher levels of support (Platinum Club) both locally and further afield such as BEL Forklift Trucks from Newcastle and locally, Kelly from Selbies Opticians, Milnsbridge, who has now become a trustee of Golcar United Community Playing Fields (registered charity).

Going forward on the development front we are in the process of extending the club house (via private benefactors) to increase revenue generation both at and beyond sport to provide a local venue for hosting events for the community and creating a new stand at the North Side of the ground (Leymoor End) as well as establishing a five-year plan to incorporate other developments such as car parking, changing rooms and the junior field (including the recreational area). We must also thank Paul Armitage for his huge efforts for keeping our pitch in great condition.

Clearly, we have come a long way since 2018 when all this “madness" was created and if it was not for the committee, the helpers and of course you the supporters and sponsors, none of this would be possible, so a great thank you to one and all and of course all the user groups whom use the facilities.

Thank you.

Up the Village!

Peter Gledhill
Chairman