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This has been, to put it mildly, an eventful year! Half way through, I expected to be making this address certainly as your President but not as Acting Chairman.
But, as we know, there have been enforced changes to the Committee with the departure of first Chairman Richard Halsall, followed by Treasurer Tim Haley for personal and business reasons respectively. On behalf of the Club, I should like to thank them both for their considerable input into the affairs of the Club over the last few years. I suppose, if nothing else, it emphasises the fact that this has become a very big ‘small business’ demanding more management skills and, above all, time commitment often from volunteers who already have busy careers in their own right.
To use an old saying, if I had planned to take on this role, it would not have been from here because it has been a difficult year in business terms. But we are where we are, and although, as you can see by the accounts, the Club has declared a loss for last year, I hope that I can reassure all Members that there are reasons for it, some, but not all, beyond our control and that we have put controls and strategies in place to ensure a speedy return to profitability.
A number of unforeseen, essential repairs to the premises, notably involving the heating and waste disposal systems, put considerable strain on our cash flow and forced the Club to seek an additional loan from the Brewery in order to cope, this in addition to the interest-free loan from the Rugby Football Foundation which has funded the conversion of No.1 squash court into two, much-needed additional meeting rooms. Again, in retrospect, this alteration could ideally have been delayed and better managed but we were under pressure to provide alternative premises for Preston Contract Bridge Club, the rental from which effectively funds the repayment of the RFF loan.
It must be remembered, however, that we are primarily a sports club and no one will forget the excitement engendered by the First XV’s impressive start to the season. In only our second year back in the National Leagues, we won our first 7 matches and topped the table for several weeks until the impact of some key injuries and a dip in form allowed the other contenders to catch us up. We eventually got back on track and another sequence of wins, including a fine home victory over high-flying Tynedale, put us back in contention but it was not to be and, as you know, we just missed out on the chance of promotion.
All the players and coaches involved are to be congratulated but special mention perhaps needs to be made of skipper Toby Foster, now alas back in the Antipodes, Ollie Viney who again represented England Counties on a tour of Russia and Paul Bailey, Juan Crous, Glyn Dewhurst and Darren Wilson who helped Lancashire to an appearance in the County Final at Twickenham. Meanwhile, just as importantly, the club continued to field 6 other senior sides in the excellent Bateman Premier and Miller Homes Leagues offering regular competitive games to over 150 players. Meanwhile, Hoppers Ladies demonstrated their usual enthusiasm and had another successful season, and were promoted to North 2. They have plans to start a girls’ team to provide players for the future.
Recently, a near neighbour has made much in the local media about starting an ‘academy’ which seems to be a new ‘buzz word’. Hoppers have had one for years but choose to call it the Mini/Youth Section and again successful seasons were enjoyed at all age levels from Colts (U.19) – ably coached by members of the First XV – a very welcome innovation - to U.7s. Thanks are due to the army of volunteers who make Sunday morning sessions during the season possible.
However, putting my commercial hat back on, all the above came at a cost and Chairman of Rugby Mike Bailey has trimmed next season’s budget and refocused on the progression of home-grown players, which we believe is the right course of action, and furthermore are confident that we shall be competing for honours again next season.
It must not be forgotten that Hoppers is now multi-sports and the Squash Section ran 5 sides in the winter league and maintained their NW Counties Division 1 status, while adopting a similar strategy to that espoused by Rugby, that is using wherever possible home-grown players.
Hoppers Cricket finished 2nd equal in the Boddingtons Village Cricket League last season but aim to go one better this time and are currently top of the table.
The Rifle Shooting Section is still active but your Committee is currently having to address the need for extensive repairs to the roof of the range to ensure that this activity continues. Meanwhile the related Archery Section continues to grow with the former Bowman of Pendle proving ever resourceful.
It is important to remember that all categories of members are valued and I thank them for their continued support.
It is my painful duty before looking ahead to next year to comment on the sad losses suffered by the club during the last year. The sudden death of Dick Leigh brought home with a vengeance just how much he did for this Club over many years of voluntary service and we have struggled to cover his duties as Grounds Chairman. It is fitting that he has been commemorated by naming one of the new meeting rooms the Leigh Gallery. The Club also lost a former Chairman in Bob Eastham and, more recently, Cliff Young, a former player, vice president and trustee of the Club also passed on shortly after another long-term member in Jim Tomlinson.
So to the future. As mentioned earlier, we have already taken a long hard look at this year’s budget and aim to bring the Club back into profitability. We have also been fortunate in securing the services (if elected!) of some long-term members to serve on the Committee and help to ensure that the plans are carried through and I believe that we have the right people to achieve this. We also have the full benefit of some new income streams; the new meeting rooms have already been mentioned and another exciting and significant development involves the letting of the car park adjoining Lightfoot Lane for a ‘Park & Ride’ operation for the staff of the Royal Preston Hospital. We are now in a position to promote our new facilities, which also include the new children’s playground, courtesy of the Ashton family, and perhaps I can remind all present that you are our front line ambassadors and your friends and neighbours are all potential customers.
Lastly, but by no means least, I must thank the permanent staff for their hard work, long hours and dedication; to Head Chef Allan and Bars Manager Dennis and all their staff as well as those involved in the office. I believe that we have a vibrant business and a great opportunity to drive the Club forward.
Chairman's Report to members - 2004/05
Dear Member
It is satisfying to be able to report that 2004/2005 has been a successful year both on and off the pitch. After the disappointment of relegation from the National Leagues the previous season, Hoppers First XV ended up clear winners of Powergen North I and all players, coaches and support staff must be congratulated on this achievement. National League status has not only positive financial benefits, but also guarantees the Club automatic entry to the Powergen Senior Cup and helps us to retain and attract players. We also got to the 5th Round of the Intermediate Cup and were losing finalists in the Lancashire Cup. As always, the 1869 Club have also played their part, particularly in supporting away games.
But Hoppers is first and foremost a club and it is worthy of note that, by the end of the season, 7 senior sides were taking the field on a Saturday afternoon, offering rugby to some 150 players. The Fairclough Homes Intermediate Leagues have been a tremendous innovation and have provided competitive rugby and, more importantly, regular fixtures at all levels below First XV. The 3rd and Casuals XV are to be congratulated on winning their respective divisions and gaining promotion while the 4th XV missed out by just 1 point Particularly gratifying was the resurrection of the Colts after Christmas, so important for the future of the Club.
Another important development over the last few years has been the establishment of a women's rugby team and Hoppers Ladies in only their second full season won 9 of their 11 games, ending up with the demolition of league leaders, Fleetwood.
The Mini/Youth Section continues to go from strength to strength with over 400 boys and girls from 6 to 18 years of age on the books. There have been impressive performances at all levels but mention must be made of the U.15s and U.16s who won their respective Lancashire Cups. Volunteers are essential throughout the Club's many activities but none more so than at this level and some 80+ adults have achieved the necessary qualifications to enable them to supervise and coach on Sunday mornings.
In order to promote the game further, the Club has co-operated with the City Council Sports Department and the local RFU Development Officer in running an after hours `Tag' Rugby Primary Schools League throughout the season, the final of which was played as a curtain-miser before the last home league game in April.
Grasshoppers is now a multi-sports organisation and again it was a successful year with the cricket team Joint Champions of the Boddington's Mid-week Cricket League and the Squash First Team retaining their North West Counties Division 1 title. Again looking to the future, junior players are coached at Mini-squash sessions on Saturday afternoons.
The shooting section continues to rebuild membership after the ravages of the recent legislation, while the newly formed archery section has benefited from the arrival of a faction of the Bowmen of Pendle Club.
In terms of facilities, the new floodlighting of No.1 Pitch, funded by a generous grant from the RFU, has proved a boon and has been used to stage additional games including the first-ever Women's Roses Match, a Daily Mail Schools Cup Tie between King Edward's, Lytham and Audenshaw Grammar and a Primary Schools Tag Rugby Evening Festival.
Commercially, the Club has never been busier and the on-going refurbishment of the Clubhouse continues while opportunities are being investigated to extend the premises to provide extra conference/function rooms for this important and fast-growing business sector. The potential is there but any developments need to be properly costed and affordable. A `privilege card' is shortly to be introduced which will offer certain benefits to paid-up members, including discount on drinks at the bar.
I must express the Club's gratitude to all our advertisers, sponsors and supporters, particularly Main Sponsors Thwaites and Mini/Youth Sponsors, James Edwards as well as those companies who have supported the Young Players' Prize Fund, listed on the board in the foyer.
Lastly I must thank my Management colleagues and all the bar, catering and grounds staff for their support and hard work during the year.
It is against this background that I thank you for your past support and invite you to renew your membership.
Here's to a successful 2005/06!
RICHARD HALSALL
CHAIRMAN
May 2005
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