On behalf of myself, the staff and the players, I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for the positive support you have given us throughout pre-season.

It has been a challenging few months at the club losing so many experienced players all at once and to be honest with you, the easiest thing for a Manager to do at that point would have been to give up and walk away but that’s just not me and neither is it in the make-up of any of our group this season.

The truth of the matter is that some of those players have left because they were not offered new contracts, some because of family and commitment/travelling reasons, some because they felt it was the right time for them personally and some because they felt this season would be hard work and that other, less challenging options were on the horizon. All those players that have departed did fantastically well for this Football Club and they go with our best wishes. There is certainly no animosity or ill feeling toward any one of them but we must now move on and concentrate on what we have……

This season will have it’s ups and down’s but that is football and is why we all love it so much as you never know what you are going to get.

We have a very young squad which is no doubt evident for any one of you to see but what we do have is a hungry group of players that are willing to learn, have real quality, will play an attractive style of football but most of all will give their absolute best for the Club and for you supporters.

I for one am excited, excited at the prospect of rebuilding a team. It is a huge challenge not only for me but everyone involved in the Football Club, because that is exactly what we are “One Club”, that means we are all in it together, Management, Players, Officials and Supporters.

We have an opportunity here to mould and build a team that this Football Club and it’s supporters can be proud of, one that has a real connection with the supporters again as I feel that connection had been lost. The rapport between the player and fans is so important and that is certainly something we have spoken about as a group and feel that its crucial that we reconnect with you and all pull in the same direction.

We will do our utmost to entertain you, engage with you and get the best results we can by playing football in the right way. All I ask in return is that, as supporters you give us just that, support. Our young team will need you this year more than they ever have done before and we can’t do it without you.

One of our aims as a club this season is to bring everyone closer together because to steal a phrase from the Welsh - “together we are stronger”.

We could not be more grateful for the support you have given us so far. All I’m asking now is for you to stick with us and give the lads your full support.

Hope you enjoy the season!

Stuart