Another Sizzling Summer! Well that’s what was predicted wasn’t it? Get those barbecues out we were told! Never mind, another summer passes and another football season – yes another already, just a week away and by the time you read this it will be well underway. The Ashes Series will have finished, will we have recaptured them I wonder, my prediction the series to end in a draw and therefore the urn to remain with Australia.

            I note from the Northern Counties East League web site, that each club will be able to have their say in how the league operates, at various regional meetings arranged by the League Management Team, that could be interesting especially if some of the topics that are discussed over a pint are raised. 

            One of the main complaints over the past few years, has been the lack of mid-week games in the early part of the season and then having to play catch up at the end of the season. Will that change? I doubt it! The first fixture was Bridlington away, surely an ideal midweek fixture with the likelihood of a bigger crowd, and in these difficult times where finance is even more important, any extras are  welcomed by all the clubs.

            Another event that will have taken place by the time the Beacon is distributed, is that the Ground Committee will have held its Sports Gala with all the clubs, Bowls, Cricket, Football and the Recreation Club participating. So lets hope the weather has been kind and the event has been a success and well supported, as a lot of hard work will have gone into arranging the event.

            This nicely leads me into my next topic – the Development Plans for the Club, which I am sure many of you will have read about in the local press and of course, in my previous scribes. These are very much on-going and all the surveys   required have now been completed. The first plans, which are for discussion, have also been presented, but there is a lot of hard work to be done and of course, finance to be raised.  Should anyone wish to see the first plan, it is on display in the club, but please note, this is only a    provisional plan and alterations will be made when all the clubs have had their contribution and say.

            Its now got to that time you have all been waiting for, my predictions for the forthcoming season. Will any of the  promoted clubs make a surge? It would be great to see Burnley do well – remember those players, Jimmy Mcllroy, Jimmy Adamson and the like, all home reared! But, unfortunately, clubs like these will find it more and more difficult as money, and big money, does all the talking. This leads me nicely into my final point, which is a small tribute to Sir Bobby Robson. Those of us who have been lucky enough to have been associated with the club for the last 25 years or so, will remember the night of 19th November 1988 and the clubs  centenary dinner. The then England manager, Mr Bobby Robson, was our guest speaker. He entertained us, answered all our questions and was one the last to leave! Nothing was too much trouble for him, a perfect night and a perfect gentleman.

            So my prediction for that little bit of something different this season, is the same as last season – Sunderland to give us that little bit of something different.

Alan Brenkley.