ANOTHER very positive season for Wellington AFC, both on and off the pitch, was reported by chairman Mike Hall at the annual meeting. 

The first team had a difficult start to the season in the Premier Division of the Western League but steadily improved to finish with six wins in their last ten games. 

The Reserves had finished a close third in the First Division of the Devon & Exeter League and are awaiting confirmation that they have been promoted to the Premier Division. 

The A team have been promoted as champions of the First Division of the Taunton Saturday League. 

The step up to the First Division of the Somerset County Women’s League proved a challenge for the Wildcats but they finished in a creditable position while the Ladies had a tough season in Division Two but put up some spirited performances.

Meanwhile, the Under 18s had enjoyed their best season for a number of years. 

In the youth section, there were some outstanding performances. In particular, the Under 16 Town, Under 12 Rovers and the Under 9s. The club should also be proud of the Ability Counts teams.

Mr Hall thanked all the officers, committee members, managers, and coaches for their work together with volunteers undertaking match day support, bar work, catering along with the support for youth teams. Particular thanks were also owing to the club’s sponsors.

Without all of this support, he added, the club would not be able to function.

As increased costs had halted the possibility of the club moving its main pitch to Longforth Farm, work was now taking place to improve the facilities at the Playing Field. 

Considerable progress has been made in securing funding from the Premier League Stadium Fund for the replacement of the current floodlights with four new columns with LED lights.

These columns will be permanent and will not have to be taken down and put back up each season to allow for the cricket club to play their games. 

Once confirmation that the club has been awarded the necessary grant, and appropriate planning permission has been obtained, it is hoped to complete the work as soon as possible.

Club secretary Jane Brown said that, once again, the weather had an adverse effect on the season with periods of heavy rain from November through to early March leading to the postponement of games and a backlog of fixtures at all levels. 

Fortunately, the club’s teams were able to complete their fixtures in reasonable time with thanks to the cricket club for allowing an extension of time at the Playing Field. 

Adding to Mr Hall’s review of the season, Mrs Brown reported that, with the club running a large diversity of teams, a continuing small army of helpers is required. 

These volunteers must be thanked for all their hard work which ensures that such a large number of adults and young people are able to enjoy the game. 

For the club’s 24 boys’ and girls’ teams, about 400 players from the age of seven to 18 were attached to the club, supported by some 40 managers and coaches and their many volunteers. This was an achievement of which the club should be very proud. 

The club should also be proud of the media coverage provided through the website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts all of which continued to promote it and attract a large number of followers.

Treasurer Reg Oxby, in his final report before stepping down from the role, explained that the club had recorded a loss of £4,000 on the 2023-24 season compared with a profit of £4,000 the previous season.  

This was essentially due to increases in costs as a result of the current economic situation, which had seen heating and lighting increase by £4,000 and bar running expenses by £2,500. 

Money coming in was essential for the running of the club and he thanked all the voluinteers who helped in various roles. 

Mr Oxby was happy that the club was in reasonably sound financial position to meet the demands of the forthcoming season and to support future development.

The chairman thanked Mr Oxby for his report and paid tribute to the time and effort he had put into the role which was greatly appreciated. 

Mr Hall also thanked the team of volunteers who had been working hard in recent weeks to support the showing of England’s Euro games which had proved a great success. 

The meeting finished with the presentation of gifts to Reg Oxby, his wife Jenny (clubhouse manager) and Steve Coles (committee member) who were stepping down from their roles with the club. 

The chairman thanked them for the work they had all done over a considerable length of time. 

The contribution both Mr and Mrs Oxby had given to the club could not be underestimated while Mr Coles had provided invaluable support as a committee member, including undertaking numerous bar duties and representing the club on the Sports Federation. Mr Hall stressed that all three of them would be missed.

Officers elected: President, Alan Shire; Chairman, Mike Hall; Vice-Chairman, Graham Aspin; Secretary, Jane Brown; Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Chris Ormerod; Club Welfare Officer and Youth Teams Secretary, Colin Waller; Youth Teams Representative, John Norman; Assistant Secretary, Geoff Hamlyn; Bar Manager, Mike Owen; Bookings Officer, Jeanette Bird; Media Manager, Ken Bird.

Committee members: Officers plus Stephen Bird, Mike Bull and Jamie Webber together with senior team managers Richard Cherry, Mark Owen, Warren Toth, Nyima Touray and John Sellick.