City wins Programme of the Year
In recent years silverware has been somewhat of a rarity at the Spectrum, with Guildford City not winning a trophy since the 2011-12 CCL league championship. Granted this wasn’t an award for performance on the pitch but at Saturday’s Combined Counties League AGM Guildford City were awarded the Premier Division’s “Best Programme of the Year 2017-18” award. It was a good day for the borough of Guildford as Ash United won the best programme award for Division One. Meanwhile, the Premier division fair play award was won by Balham who had a fantastic first season in the top division, finishing in a highly commendable fifth position, but also winning the London Senior Cup beating a number of higher level sides on the way.
As is becoming the modern trend the CCL clubs voted to allow digital match day programmes from the start of the new season. Member clubs will have the option of traditional paper copies, digital copies or both options. But match programmes in whatever format will be required. Here at Guildford City we will be retaining paper copies. Member clubs also voted by a large majority for AC London to lose their league membership. With a poor administrative and disciplinary record over several seasons the CCL management committee brought the issue to the AGM. It is understood that AC London will be appealing this decision to the FA.
In club news the team returned to pre-season training last week. New coaches Scott Kemp and Suj Kheira have been putting the lads through a tough fitness regime. For the first time in five or six seasons, Guildford go into the campaign with the majority of last season’s squad. Excitingly some new faces are also on display including goal scorer Michael Campbell and ex-Godalming Town striker Bobby Webbe. Training continues this week leading up to the first pre-season match at Walton Casuals on Saturday 7 July (1pm).
The draw has been made for the opening rounds of the Cherry Red Records League Cup. City have a bye in the first round, after which we have been drawn away to Frimley Green on a date to be decided.
The deadline for purchase of Early Bird Season Ticket & 18-19 is fast looming on 30 June. There is a significant amount of money to be saved for regular supporters. It’s looking as if this is going to be a very competitive season and it would be great to welcome new supporters to the Sweeney ranks.
Finally a reminder to club members that the AGM is being held this week on Wednesday 27 June at the City Club, Joseph’s Road at 7.45pm.
