Berwick players celebrate their opening goal against Annan on August 13th ( Photo courtesy of Ian Runciman )
I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce that our new Main Sponsor as Simplenergy (Scotland) Ltd and new back of shirt sponsor as J. B. Site Investigations Ltd and we welcomed their representatives to the match on Saturday.
Also a big thank you to all our existing sponsors as illustrated in the programme. Without all the sponsors support, Berwick Rangers would struggle to exist.
After a tiring League Cup campaign we entertained Annan Athletic for Saturdays first Home League Match in which we played very well and secured the points. This follows a well-earned draw at Arbroath.
Looking back to the last 10 games of last season it was to be hoped that we would start this season in the same vein of form, which we have. I would like to believe we have a squad of players who are all capable of winning the League (No pressure John) or that at the worst getting us promotion through the play-offs.
In John Coughlin we have a very good tactical manager who can read the way the opposition have set up their team and can counteract their strengths and target their weaknesses.
With John being signed on a 2 year full time contract and certain players also being signed on 2 year contracts it makes for more continuity within the Football Club and in the Directors opinion is the way forward.
John is very keen to get more involved with all the local football teams he would like to provide a path for local youngsters to progress from an early age through from the fourteen teams the Berwick Juniors have to the Berwick Rangers Development Squad and hopefully then to the First Team Squad. Even if you only get one player through the system it would be all worth it.
Berwick Rangers in conjunction with Northumberland Education are proposing to have a Football Academy based at Shielfield, we require a minimum of 14 students to enable this to get off the ground. The enrolment of 16 to 18 year olds to this Academy will take place in August and early September. The students will have a full curriculum combined with 6 hours football coaching from John Coughlin and his staff.
This is an incentive that Berwick Rangers are offering the youth of Berwick and District.
Having an Academy could be a vehicle for Berwick Rangers to keep up the push for funding to install an all-weather playing surface at Shielfield for the Community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank on behalf of the Football Club all our staff and volunteers. Who turn up in all weathers to carry out their work, a lot of it is unseen, without them the Football Club would not function.
Good Health to everyone here’s hoping we have a good season onwards and upwards,
Best Wishes,
Len Eyre
Chairman
