As the festive period is now upon us, it’s a time when family and friends come together to celebrate the year we leave behind and look forward to the year ahead.

A lot of our teams have a short break at this time so I’d usually be advising members and spectators to enjoy that break, however it seems due to recent weather we’ve had an extended break from the beautiful game and everyone is raring to to get back on the pitch and in the stands.

Our men’s first team continue to represent the club over the festive period and we are fortunate that we have two home games coming up (Sat 23rd Dec and Sat 30th Dec) so we’d love to see everyone get behind Daniel “Bobby” Moore and the team as they continue there fine form, so pop along as a family and get behind the lads whilst socialising with the rest of the club and community.

I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to all our players, spectators, parents, grandparents & carers for the continued commitment over 2023, your dedication to travel the miles and get behind our 80 or so teams whatever the weather is inspirational, without your support our community club wouldn’t be what it is. I’d also like to have a special mention to our MAGNIFICENT volunteer workforce (all circa 200 of them), you are the oil in our machine, you all enable our fantastic club to operate successfully on a daily basis and the work you all do certainly doesn’t go unnoticed, you are all very much appreciated from myself and the club overall, THANK YOU.

2023 has seen our club continue to grow as the demand for our services increases, growth is always a good thing, however it also brings challenges such as recruiting additional volunteers, training and relevant checks and facility requirements to support at a time when everyone is feeling economic pressures and the cost of living crisis. As a community based club we do our upmost to ensure costs are at a minimum whilst we strive to be a self sustainable club from the senior section right through to our tots section and everything in between.

Our clubs home at Hebburn Sports Ground is continually seeing improved infrastructure changes for the better that will help the club longer term as part of our strategic objectives.

Our football club is massive and although the size can be a challenge we strive to maintain our “One Club Ethos”, everyone is in this together, so we continue to encourage everyone to drive that “family, inclusive and supportive” mentality, no matter what, we are here for each other both on and off the pitch. “ONECLUBOURCOMMUNITY”

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Here’s to a wonderful 2024 for all. ???

Vin Pearson
Chairman - Hebburn Town FC