Dear Club Member,
Welcome to the new season with Old St Mary’s FC. After a difficult last few years grappling with the impact of the pandemic and a rapidly changing club membership demographic, we now find ourselves in calmer waters.
Last year we seemed to have the balance right. While we rarely struggled to get both teams out, I can recall only one or two occasions when we were over-subscribed and unable to offer a game to everyone who wanted one.
The relatively recent introduction of rolling substitutions has helped to manage surges in demand to play, and, as a club, we are committed to using rolling subs in a fair and transparent way. Nobody should be expected to turn up to games and regularly receive limited playing time. We all want to win, but our prime aim is to provide competitive football for our members.
I believe we are well-equipped to deal with issues like the use of substitutes because, since the pandemic, our captains and vice captains have helped to bring back a sense that Old St Mary’s FC is a club and not two teams operating in isolation. Long may that ethos continue.
I will finish by wishing you all an enjoyable and successful season. Remember that the club is run by volunteers, so please give our captains your full support throughout the year, confirming your availability as soon as possible and paying your match fees promptly.
Tony Linnett
Chairman
Old St Mary’s Football Club
