2007 Outgoing Secretary/Treasurer's Report for
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Secretary Report.
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There's an old saying about buses. It's the one about waiting for ages for one and
then two come along at once. Its the same with Fenton and winning things. Having last won a trophy
in 2004, (not including the "Staffordshire Club of the Year Trophy" we have now won two this Season
with the Rapidplay League and Withnall Trophy (Strictly speaking there is no trophy awarded for
winning the Rapidplay but if there were, our name would be on it!) At the time of writing (21/05/07)
we don't know if we have won it outright or whether we have had to share it with one or possibly two
other clubs. The Withnall Trophy, however does exist and we most certainly have won it outright. To be fair,
not in the way we would have liked as our opponents, Rushall, withdrew before the final but we won't quibble
over the merits of that one.
So it is that 2006/07 was our most successful season ever. A season that saw us go from strength to strength
although a third successive defeat in the pre-season
on board count hardly
put us in the right frame of mind. For the first time we entered four teams in the League, thus making Fenton the third largest club. |
The A team, in Division 2 was again hampered with player availability causing John to chop and change
more times than he would of liked to. Despite this, some good results against teams with higher graded players, and a
joint fifth place ensuring we were the highest place club in the league from Stoke On Trent.
The B team again did us proud once again by claiming the runners up spot in Division Three. Maybe third time lucky next year? |
The C and D team playing in Division Four managed a few wins here and there. Neither set the division
alight although at one stage it appeared that the C team might have finished among the front runners. At least all
the lower graded club members managed to get some games, which was the whole point of creating the extra teams.
Leading on from that, i do believe the new league system has paid off making team selection more flexible and enabling us
to enter an extra team. I was initially sceptical about the whole concept but having seen how it has helped the club to develop,
i am now totally committed to the new system.
In the rapidplay, seven wins from eight games ensured top spot. As stated previously we are at least joint winners.
One draw from the last two matches will clinch the title outright. Apart from the Withnall triumph, it was mixed
fortunes in the Knockout competitions. Nothing much can be said about a 7-1 defeat in the 8-board competition against
a much superior Newcastle side. (Except that it was an experience!!) It was Newcastle again who defeated us in the
Under 135 cup.
We did, however reach three Semi Finals in other competitions. It was third time lucky against Newcastle in the Semi
Final of the Withnall, but defeats at the same stage in the Under 110 and Jackson Trophies. In the Under 110 we again
sent Cheddleton packing before succumbing to eventual winners, Kidsgrove. In the Jackson Trophy a bye to the semis
saw us lose 3-2 to Boldmere St Michael in what was the first ever meeting between the two clubs.
Thanks to everyone for all their endeavours last year, with a special thanks to our friends from over the border
in Shropshire who came and helped us at a time when it looked as if we may have been struggling for players.
Let's hope we can keep the momentum going next season.
"non progredi est regredi" |
Treasurer's Report.
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At the end of the season, club finances stand at £45.02. This is down on last year when we carried forward
£75.50 a decrease due mainly to the club entering an extra team in the league competition. Last year we paid £198 in fees to the
North Staffs Chess Assocation. (Four league teams, three in the knockout cups and one in the rapidplay league)
We also paid £10 to enter two teams in the Staffordshire cup competitions. Costs were also incurred purchasing
trophies for the various internal competitions that we run.
As you see on the AGM agenda, I have proposed we have an increase in membership fees. It is a simple but blunt truth
that if we want to enter more teams to more competitions we have to pay out more money. Fees have remained the same for the last five years
and i believe we have some of the lowest fees in the league. A moderate increase may be required especially if it means more of our members playing more competitive chess. |
Written by the Peter Tideswell.
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