Mr Adkins has asked me to publish his programme notes from the Christmas match v Faversham and the nores from the New Year's Day match v Carshalton (I hope the images come out ok, if not I'll publish again) :---

A Christmas message from our Chairman.
I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the season so far. 
Although we are not quite where we would like to be at this stage, it remains achievable and I am confident that our squad and coaching staff will get there.
I never feel it is quite right to pick out individual players because it is a team effort but the last couple of games have seen outstanding contributions from Saidou Khan, who is of course a member of our Academy. We have several other boys in our first team squad from the Academy and this serves as a tribute to the efforts and coaching they receive.  Furthermore our under 16’s from our youth structure move up through our system to the Academy. We are proud of the pathway we create through our football family and this season has also seen a lot of effort being put into our youngest teams, The Kickers for 7-8 year olds.
So on behalf of the Club I would like to express our gratitude to all our players, their families and all the coaching staff throughout our football structure. Of course without all the support and back up from our administrative team, our Members Club, volunteers and the fans we would not be where we are. 
So I extend our thanks to all who help to make Tooting and Mitcham United FC such a vibrant and exciting Club. 
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, including all our visitors today from Faversham Town FC.
 




From the Carshalton New Year's Day Programme :--

When I entered the stadium for the Faversham game last week DP (our programme editor) said to me ‘I am intrigued by the badge choice for today’s match day programme; it will please many diehard fans that the original version has been used today.  Can you explain the choice?’ So here we go.
Firstly a brief history of our crest : It dates from 1948.  The top half represents Tooting and the three stars denote Balham, Tooting and Streatham, which were three districts of the then Borough of Wandsworth, that were closely associated with the Club. The boundary of the Borough of Wandsworth was re-drawn in 1965 and although Balham and Tooting are still within its boundary, Streatham is now in the London Borough of Lambeth.
The crosses are really little swords which, surrounding any badge in 1948, indicated inclusion within the London County Council boundaries. The fact that ours only goes half way round is because only the Tooting half of the club was within the London County Council boundary, Mitcham being in Surrey.
The bottom half represents Mitcham and features a castle which indicates an old Saxon settlement that existed in “Michellam”. Surrounding the castle is the familiar lavender sprigs for which Mitcham is famous.
When the operational company of the hub failed it had a very strong brand; so much so that we still are referred to as ‘the hub’ some years after its passing.  We wished to create an even stronger brand and the obvious choice, given we are led by a football club was to update our badge. The umbrella organisation is TM United which includes not only football but all the delivery from Imperial Fields. KNK, our sponsor, wished for a more contemporary feel to the badge and for the three year agreement with them we agreed that First team football would lead on this.
This doesn’t in anyway diminish the original Tooting and Mitcham United FC badge now or in the future.  The Club has the benefit of being able to use the historic crest or the umbrella crest; in fact the organisation has full intellectual property protection of the crest and both badges are registered trademarks as is our nickname “The Terrors”.
 We remain a Club with a rich and historic past and as we move into 2015 a strong and exciting future.
At the end of 2014 the TM United confirmed planning consents for a new changing room block for the rear AWP, plus new storage/community use units under the stands at either end of the pitch; also for our community pitches at Farm Road. Once we implement these consents to run alongside what has already been developed at the Club we have the opportunity to create a sustainable organisation and football club. 
It is my belief that the crests represent our community. The delivery throughout TM United is strong as is our football plan at all levels (see our Christmas programme).  In 2015 we need to concentrate on elevating first team football so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that it leads TM United and generate a sustainable future for all post my stewardship.  We have structures in place and wish to continue our growth. 
Please write to me with any constructive thoughts you may wish to share to  chair@tmunited.org. 
This is a genuine opportunity to enrich the soul of the Club so we can truly inhabit the space we have created.
A HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone
Steve
STEVE ADKINS
CHAIRMAN
TMUFC


 

Last edited by DeePee (06/1/2015 11:08 am)