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the moving finger writes....

Uncle Urchin

By Uncle Urchin
in Hornchurch Forum

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Uncle Urchin Newbie

Uncle Urchin

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‘little ol ‘ornchurch’ top of the League, known and respected across all of non league and much feared by any team who visit the stadium, who’d have ever thought it 5 years ago.

 

It has been a wonderfully exhilarating journey across those five years for me but now I must go. In that respect it is my sad but nonetheless firm decision to depart from day to day work, activity and all involvement with the club as from the 1st January 2007.

 

My reasons are several fold. Firstly, as you are all fully aware, there was a ‘little hiccup’ along the journey and the time has now come to deal with several personal side issues arising from the ‘fall from grace’ of our window related businesses 2 years ago. It is not in the best interests of the club for me to be associated with it as I deal with those issues. I must confess here that it was my intention to depart the club last spring having spearheaded the revival of fortunes and seen the club achieve the famous ESL treble and set several new records at that level at the same time but the departure of our then team manager delayed my decision.

 

Secondly I wish to spend more time with Jennie and our family who have all taken a second seat to my involvement with the club during the past five years, even my dogs think I am the postman and my garden looks like a jungle. It is now therefore time for me also to deal with these domestic issues and make amends for and repay the support and affection unstintingly given to myself and the club by those closest to me..

 

Thirdly and perhaps more importantly, I do believe that 5 years is long enough at any club for one person and in that respect I feel that new blood and new ideas are much needed at the club to continue its advancement, I have always been very selfish in my views on the clubs success and have always placed team matters and winning ahead of all other priorities. We have built excellent income earning facilities at the club that are under utilised and I am certain that others to follow can and will make better use of those facilities to provide the club with more income and revenues. A new broom perhaps and a much needed one in that respect. As I have become more preoccupied with outside issues of late the commercial aspects to the club have undoubtedly suffered, Time for other good, hard working people with fresh ideas to change that and perhaps place a more commercial aspect over the clubs activities as opposed to my ‘gung ho’ approach to trying to win everything in sight. No regrets from me over that, its what I did and what we all wanted then, but times change and therefore change is needed.

 

You will all have seen the arrival of several new Directors/Vice Presidents in recent times who will continue their excellent support of the club. Jennie will remain Club Secretary and also a Director of the club as will John Smith for the time being (and will participate in the administration of the club on a part time and as always unpaid basis) Ben Williams, my son, will also resign his position as a Director so he can pursue his professional sailing career. Following on from these changes it is the clubs intention to appoint a new Chairman as from the 1st January 2007 who will form a new board of Directors to continue the safe and successful running of the club. In due course several current hard working members of the club will be asked for their advice and will, in all probability, be given the opportunity to join the new board. Next season it is my last and express wish that the club changes its name back to the original name of Hornchurch Football Club. But these are matters for the future not for now or for me.

 

Colin McBride has been appraised of these intentions and will continue to manage the team and hopefully provide the club with promotion back to the Ryman Premier where it belongs. He will continue to have the full support and resources of the club available to him. It is important now that the clubs superbly committed and vocal fans rally behind our excellent manager and his team in that respect as indeed they have always done so throughout the five years past. Many Directors would give their all to have Colin and his set up at their own clubs. We must therefore ensure that they are appreciated for their efforts and abilities.

 

And that’s that, life goes on, time marches on and footie is always footie, I shall buy my season ticket next year and attend the odd game throughout the season although they will be limited. I have had a tremendous time at Hx and wouldn’t change it for the world, much joy, much laughter and a few tears, and that’s exactly how it should be. I have made many mistakes and also led the club to much success but above all have always tried to put put the club first, I hope that my time there is seen retrospectively as a good period in the clubs long history but that is a matter for others to speculate on.

 

I shall also be away from the forums as I finish my ‘Urchins’ book and enjoy my free time with my family. To everyone I have met in non league football who has enlightened and brightened my life with their humorous, selfless and devoted unpaid work in this wonderful game, and at this wonderful club, I would say to all of them, a big massive thank you, there are so many of them and they know who they are.

 

I am now what I always wanted to be...an urchin fan... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/taz.gif" alt="" />

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Ozz Enthusiast

Ozz

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Sad to see you go. It's often been described as a roller coaster ride - and a bloody good one at that.

 

I hope this doesn't spell the end of the good times and that the Club can continue onwards and upwards - although maybe at a more stately pace.

 

The team and the directors will get the fans support I am sure -

 

Thanks Unc.

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Mitchurchin Newbie

Mitchurchin

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I will always remember my first season on the terrases and being handed by your good self a shirt to assist in my supportive ways. Hornchurch is and always will be the only club I have ever truly followed and long may that continue.

 

There have been ups and downs but that is the joy of the game and I've enjoyed it all. So cheers to you unc, this club will not die now, thanks in no small part to your incredible efforts.

 

brgds

 

Mitchurchin (aka Mitch)

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coach et 64 Newbie

coach et 64

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Uncle,sorry to hear these news <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bawling.gif" alt="" /> but i'm sure you won't stay away from football for long.we can say that you are taking a break,can we? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />keep in good shape <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cuddle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/taz.gif" alt="" />

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The Monk Newbie

The Monk

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An abrupt end to an exciting chapter that has brought great times bad times and a whole host of memories, whether they be on here or at the Bridge. Many thanks for the part played in those memories.

 

Though a new chapter opens and one in which we will continue to rise.

 

Up the Urchins.

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