Hello and welcome to Longmead Stadium for this afternoon's Bostik League match. A very warm welcome to today's match officials and the players, officials and supporters of Merstham FC.

I hope everyone enjoys their afternoon with us and wish you all a very safe journey home.

Our visitors are just behind us in the league standings and it will be an interesting afternoon.

Our run of results this year have seen us go to third in the league with a game in hand which we will play on Wednesday 27 February when we are away to Lewes for the re-arranged game hopefully the weather will be kind to us.

I would like to thank the supporters whom have clubbed together to provide the finance for Steve to bring in Tom Derry. Tom has added another dimension to our attach and will compliment Alex and Chinedu.

Some of you may contribute to the 200 Club which is run and organised by Toni Jarrett. The Club was set up to provide money for projects that are beneficial to supporters of the club. In the past it has funded repairs to the pitch and floodlights and has provided timely support to aid the club in carrying out improvements. Toni has agreed to fund pitch repair work which has been carried out as well as the purchase of a fertiliser spreader, not exactly an everyday item of equipment but essential to assist with the pitch maintenance programme.

Progress is slow with the grant money from the FA but Pete Elves and I are nearly there and will be putting in the application very soon.

The work to the marquee have now been completed and a very big thank you to all involved and very soon photos showing the marquee in its full glory will be available on the club's website. The marquee is a massive asset for the club and is a credit to all involved.

We do have new volunteers helping out during the week and we are always happy to see more.

The club will be arranging a sporting dinner on the 25 April further details will be provided as soon as possible.

Electricity bill. Just in case you thought that your winter electricity bill was high the club's was £2053.91 for one month. The warm weather will help to reduce this this month.

Please do not forget the close season events.

The Garden and Craft Show on the 11 and 12 May is going to be the biggest yet and the variety of exhibitors is amazing and will provide something for everyone. If you would like to help out please speak to Trevor Brittain or Sarah Parks.

Angelfest on 24 25 and 26 May is being organised and it is intended to have a variety of ciders, including so I am told the very popular 'Double Vision', as well as beers and a gin bar. Club Tropicana will also be coming along please look out for details. Volunteers will be asked for during the next few weeks to help out.

The Scatonics will also be making a welcome appearance at the marquee.

Please don't think that volunteers have to work all the days at these events even a morning or an afternoon will be of great help.

I make no apologies for reminding everyone that it is very difficult for clubs at the moment and it is very important that that club continues to work with our sponsors and all of us try to find new ways to promote and advertise the club.

Good luck to all our teams this weekend and please enjoy your afternoon with us

Dave