In a year when most leagues have reported disaster upon disaster  due to
adverse weather and then the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, I am
delighted to report that the season of 2000 - 2001 will be remembered as the
most successful since the Clubs' inception in 1965.

The decision by my Junior Section Chairman, Trevor Hatchett, to insist that
all Junior Managers have, as a minimum, the Football Association Junior Team
Managers badge has set new standards in the coaching and Management of all
of our Junior sides.

Trevors' insistence that Upper Beeding FC should provide the safest and
highest quality of education will shortly take a further step when
application is made for UBFC to be recognised as an FA Charter Standard Club
under the Football Association Football Development Plan.

Our newly improved coaching abilities saw good improvements on the field
with the under 7 / 8 age group enjoying a successful season of friendly
matches, the under 9's remaining unbeaten in regular season and the under
12's winning their section of the Horsham and District Youth League.

My thanks, and  I am sure those  of all of the parents, go out to all of the
Junior Section Managers and helpers.

A special thank you has to be reserved for the Junior Secretary and Club
Treasurer, Sandra Osborn who works tirelessly for UBFC and has the
unenviable task of keeping me in check.

There is still much work to be done in the Junior Section, and with Trevors'
enthusiasm, experience and knowledge of the Youth set up in Sussex, I look
forward more success in the coming years.

As we, as a Nation, become more litigious, I have become concerned that the
Club does not offer any form of insurance to cover players injuries. With
this in mind, I will put before the AGM a arbitrary, self financing plan to
give all members insurance against injury. This will apply to both Senior
and Junior Sections of the Club and will be actioned via, and in association
with, the Sussex County Football Association.

The Senior Section enjoyed incredible success. The reserves, under the
guidance of first Gary Oxley and then Stephen Gretton and Frank Bartram won
the West Sussex Football League Division 4 (Central) and gained promotion to
Division three.

The first team under Mick Barry and coach Vic Gretton are the West Sussex
Football League Premier Division Champions after winning 25 games in a row
and not losing a game since 9th September 2000.
The first team have been elected to the Sussex County Football League and
will play in Division three of that league this August.

Success in both sections has a price and the Club has spent much of its'
reserves on FA coaching, ground and changing facility improvements. I have
sanction expenditure of over £4000.00 in the last two months and the Club
must be prepared to raise funds in the coming months to ensure continuity.

I appeal to all senior section players and junior section parents to help
with fund-raising whenever possible. UBFC will be producing a match day
programme for all first team home games and this will be developed into a
news letter one Saturday of each month, incorporating Junior news, fund
raising etc.

Already the Golf Society under the stewardship of Alan Ratcliff, Vic Gretton
and Nigel Dent have proved successful at fund raising and have all enjoyed
their days out and I thank them for their efforts.

I hope to install a new fund raising committee by the end of July this year
with responsibility to generate income to ensure the best facilities for the
best Club in the area.

Look out for new information on our excellent web site www.ubfc.co.uk. A
superb effort by "Rocket" Ron Patmore.

There is a planing application before Horsham District Council for the
development of the Sports facilities at the Memorial Playing Fields which,
if successful, will require funding.

UBFC are in continued dialogue with the Parish Council over this, and the
allotment, redevelopment. Through the Football Trust and Sport England we do
have the opportunity to fund this project. However, the Council would have
to give the Club a security of tenure to enable us to meet the required
criteria.

My thanks  to all involved within the Club from the General Secretary, Jean
Gardiner, Football Secretary Anita to any and all whose endeavours help to
make the Club what it is.
 

N.J. Addison
Chairman UBFC
15TH July 2001