It has been quite a few weeks and I am delighted we now have finally dealt with all the required legal objections and have a great platform in building our new stadium.
We are hoping for more progress on the 106 agreement, which is the final step for us before we embark on the project at full speed. Again, that is out of our hands, but we believe all parties involved are moving towards an acceptable document and in the final stages of negotiation. We can then begin our final negotiations on funding partners, commercial leases for tenants and target the start of the 2017/18 season for us to be in the new stadium. Even though I wanted to be in earlier, this is still a very fast process and from site identification to design and build we will be looking around the three-year mark - a truly impressive effort by FWP, the Council and Lucents and all involved here at the club.Playing wise we have had to make a major change and we could not be more delighted with the response from Nick and Andy in the initial five games and then with Nick at the helm for the last five games. To have 19 points (which could have easily been 24 or 25 points with a bit more luck) is a great return, one which we must use as a platform for the remaining 10 games. I believe if we can get 20 or more points from the last 10 games it will give us a great chance of the play-offs and a superb finish to what was a poor start to the season.
The players are now fit and delivering their potential and they have a responsibility to recover what has been an up-and-down season for many of them. I am delighted to say we have witnessed some lovely football and the players are enjoying the extra freedom given to them on the pitch by Nick and his management team.
What we must do now is continue to focus on playing football without fear and without inhibition, so as to deliver an outstanding brand of football until the end of the season. If we lose games because we are going for it, I do not mind, but we will not whimper out defensively or be too cautious - we will not reach our target if we do that. So I challenge the players to get out there and continue what you started, play exciting football and grasp this opportunity. They do not come along too often and we still have it all in our hands.
I know we have a new manager, but he has shown to all of us he is an excellent coach and wants to succeed, in what is one of the hardest jobs in football. We need to support him in the final 10 games and help drive this club forward, even though we may lose a few games through risk and reward. I want to see us finish with a flourish and whatever happens know we gave everything. If we do this we will entertain, as I can see huge talent and professionalism in these players, something we identified earlier in the season but hadn't come to fruition. However now is our time.
If we release our potential, be brave and continue to deliver the performances and results of recent weeks, nothing will stop us and you, the fans, will hopefully appreciate all our efforts. We will not roll over and accept being beaten until it is mathematically impossible for us to reach the play-offs, I promise you all.
Let us all reach out and grasp this opportunity, keep the faith and we will leave nothing, both on and off the pitch, in our quest for success.
Up the Iron
Peter Swann
Chairman
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