Help the Hatters Newsletter 2020
HELP THE HATTERS NEWSLETTER 2020
A Message from John Fitzpatrick HTH Chair and Official Club Ambassador
Welcome to our 2020 newsletter.
As the current season draws to its conclusion and regardless of the final outcome we can take pride in our contribution towards the success of the club both during the current campaign and particularly in the 2018/19 Championship winning season.
Following the clubs recent take over and with exciting plans both on and off the pitch, Help the Hatters will continue to work with the club and continue to develop initiatives and provide support at club, community and infrastructure level.
We continue to be a self funded voluntary group with openness, respect, decency, fairness and equality at the forefront of our function. I would, yet again like to thank all of our supporters, benefactors and partners for their continued support.
Funding
By far the group’s largest source of funding came from the car boot sales organised by Angela Moore. With the loss of the Booth Street depot plot we have been unable to secure a suitable alternative plot and consequently our main income stream has effectively been eliminated. Should anybody know of a sizable plot of land with toilet facilities within the borough please do not hesitate to contact us. We continue to hold regular raffles including a forthcoming Easter raffle and also sell lottery tickets from the ‘community’ foundation that accrues a small income. As ever any donations are welcome and can be made by cheque to Help the Hatters or straight into: Cooperative Bank, Sort Code 08-92-99 Account 65333220
Ground Work at EP
The past 20 months have seen some considerable undertakings by the group within the “bowels” of the stadium, this has included: painting of corridors under the Cheadle End and Ticket Office/Reception area, Boardroom corridor and JG’s office. The refurbishment of the home dressing room and the Physio room including the provision of a medic-care bench.
Work away from EP
During the early part of the current campaign the club were able to acquire the use of the Manor Farm facility for a limited period of time. The facility sadly had fallen into a state of disrepair in some areas and during the summer months of 2019 HTH including our first team manager got stuck in and refurbished a gymnasium area as well as freshening up the whole place.
Also during the summer of 2019 HTH embarked on a large project at Cheadle and Gatley Football Club on Outwood Road in Heald Green.
This successful project enabled the squad at County to utilise facilities at the Sea Shell Trust. Around 600 man and woman hours were spent bringing this facility into the 21st century.
In
the Autumn of 2019 a group of HTH volunteers led by August 2019’s Vanarama
National Volunteer of the month Ray commenced a refurbishment of the 1st
floor offices adjacent to the Odin Recruitment offices and have created a
Gym/player rehab unit for use by Jim’s squad.
Pitch Maintenance
HTH continue to provide the bulk of the staffing – Mike O’Brien (and his small band of slaves) to ensure that the pitch is fit for purpose and that the surrounding areas are kept weed free and neat and tidy. HTH provided the financial resource to completely re-stone the area in front of the Vernon Stand although a Mr James Gannon provided most of the muscle to shift and spread it all. New nets, germination sheets, warm up nets, Railway end flags and a ‘Turf Doctor’ system are just some of the other HTH funded items.
Provisions for or on behalf of the Club
Academy players kit, Ball Boy/Girl tops, Ultra scan machine, GPS (players work rate), Corner flags.
Environment
As part of an initiative to reduce and even eliminate plastic usage HTH are examining the use of water stations around the ground where refillable drink containers can be used. This is in its infancy and clearly has to fit in with the schedule of works that the owners are embarking on within the stadium. HTH have provided two dishwashers to the club to enable the players to utilise multiple use bottles.
Queens Volunteers Status
The group have applied for this prestigious award and have met with representatives of the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. Aside from the prestige of the award it would open up grant applications for the group not currently available. Our erstwhile volunteers Anne (get well soon) and Jan were selected for their outstanding contributions to voluntary work and attended one of the Queens Garden Party’s at Buckingham Palace last May.
What Else
HTH currently sponsor three players and individual members sponsor further players out of their own funds. A successful programme fair (Ed) attracts collectors from far and wide. The museum continues to evolve and remains the defacto decamp although Our Lady’s on Shaw Heath welcomes all on match day.
Work Parties
The group continue to carry out post match stadium clean ups generally on the Monday following a Saturday home game or Wednesday or Thursday following midweek games. Players and Match Officials changing rooms also fall into this category. Additionally a small team attend most Friday mornings to help prepare the pitch and surrounding areas for subsequent games. End of/close season maintenance parties are present most days from mid May onwards.
Thanks
Although impossible to detail every facet of the HTH work within a brief and infrequent newsletter this hopefully gives a flavour of our work. As ever new volunteers are always welcome and skilled - I.T, Electrical, Plumbing etc equally.
Contacts:
Pitch Maintenance: mike.obrien4341@ntlworld.com
Museum: john@fitzpatrickscaffolding.com
Most things are possible....given the will...to make it so....
Most things are possible....given the will...to make it so....
HELP THE HATTERS- Doers not Talkers !
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