AS THE SEASON ENDS THE WORK BEGINS (Photographs)

THE TURNING OF A DREAM INTO REALITY - by that, I mean European football - remains a possibility as we start our final game in our fourth LoW campaign. In the process we have awoken so many locals from their football slumber. Regardless of today’s result the season has been an outstanding success - there is no other way to describe the achievements of Tomi, Ray and the players. Our stated aim of Premier Cup entry has been assured, made even more satisfying by the law of relativity - we are not one of the big spending clubs, in stark contrast to so many of our competitors. There is a fine line in football between romance and recklessness - it is important to know where the boundary lies and our Manager shares my conviction that this Club will not ride out like a posse, only to leave our own homes at the mercy of bandits. Nevertheless, the Manager will be supported in ensuring a greater strength in depth, so necessary with Premier Cup football on the horizon.

Yes, the season is over but the work for the next one is only just beginning - a European venture may have to be arranged, administratively, financially and in team preparation. Our astute Manager already has his plans, not just for the possibility of the Intertoto Cup but more importantly for the 40 odd games from next August to April. Budgets will have to be set commensurate with anticipated income, the latter being dependent upon our efforts and the response received from sponsors and supporters alike. In the same way as athletes are made in the winter, football clubs are made in the summer. This kicks off on 12 May with our Presentation Dinner, 2 June our Sportsman’s Dinner with Nobby Stiles as our guest speaker and on the same night our Millennium Raffle will be drawn - four lucky persons will jet off to Grand Canaria for their first prize, courtesy of our main sponsor, Mr Dorian Roberts of RSU Windows. The summer gains momentum with our Gala & Fete on either 10 or 17 June, the date dependent on whether the Intertoto competition comes to West Wales - the first round being due on the 17th. I say West Wales - not Carmarthen, with Richmond Park not being of sufficient standard this year - but the summer will see further improvements. Negotiation for land purchase and finalisation of leasing arrangements will be completed, the pitch will be widened and improved, grant aid application will be made, local authorities will be canvassed and a TV Studio and Gantry will be erected, additional floodlight columns and stand seating will be installed, planning and CADW applications for a new Grandstand will be completed, not forgetting the continuing search for advertisers, be they Perimeter Boards, Fixture Calendars, Match Programmes and Sponsors - Match Ball, Programme, Match Sponsor and Hospitality Suite customers. There are so many more - running our Social Club is just one - VAT, Company House and Inland Revenue returns and planning for an extension. Yes, indeed, the work is just beginning. Our season’s success will be the motivator. I hope it will be the readers’ too.

TODAY’S VISITORS are a club whose all round standards we will strive to emulate. Their Chairman, Mr Keith Harding, has been a constant source of advice and support. I also thank Dorian Roberts for his commitment to continue his RSU sponsorship. We are indebted to him as we are to all those who have contributed to making this a season to remember.

It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we look forward to this, our fourth season in the League of Wales. In that period of time much has been achieved both on and off the field. I feel that Club Officials can welcome you today for the very first time to a venue which can now properly be described as a Football Stadium. That title may have a grand ring about it and whilst there is much work remaining so much has already been done. Our Operations Manager, to whom we owe a great deal of debt, has overseen the installation of additional seating in the stand, the enclosure of the ground, the painting of the dressing rooms and certain parts of the ground and significant improvements made to the playing surface.

The extent of help offered has been significant, making the support within the Club manifestly clear. A prime example being Willie Thomas who, at 72 years of age, has frequently been reporting for an 8.00am start, armed with sandwiches and a flask for a full day's task of painting. Oh for another dozen like him!

On reflecting upon last season, a number of FIRSTs - our Reserves gaining third place in the Welsh League Reserve Division and winning their League Cup, the formation of the Ladies Team, the obtaining of a lease for the ground, our Manager receiving a Manager of the Month Award, and also being appointed Manager of the Welsh semi-professional Team, and the reaching of the final of the Welsh Cup.

Also on show today is a most lavishly decorated Vice Presidents' Lounge, even though its location is within the Portacabin donated to us by Davies Crane Hire, its interior refurbishment provides an aura of any First Class Hotel due to the labour of love and the expertise of Rob Fulton - a big thank you to him.

All of this, of course, costs money and this is where the success of any football club begins and ends. I would appeal to everyone to support us this season. And why not become a Vice President which will provide you with considerable benefits - at a cost of no more than £100!

In this first game I thank all officials for their past support and anticipate that the future will bring its just rewards to an extremely hardworking and motivated committee - not forgetting our loyal supporters, and sponsors, speaking of which we are indebted to Mr Dorian Roberts, RSU Windows, who once again will be our Main Club Sponsors.

The decision of the Carmarthen County Council on the 14th of January 1999 to allow us to enclose the ground was a monumental step in the right direction - it satisfies LoW ground criteria, but it will also pave the way to turn Richmond Park from a municipal facility into a ground befitting a status club within Wales' Premier League.

In the end the Council's agreement came easily with a unanimous vote in our favour of 19 to nil. It was an honour to be present to hear an endless stream of complimentary remarks from members of all political persuasions. The scene was set by Mr Anthony Jenkins who, in fully utilising his advocacy skills, eloquently put the case for Carmarthen AFC. We are, indeed, fortunate to have a President of such stature taking a key role in our development.

'In failing to prepare, one prepares for failure' is not a saying that could be applied to ourselves. It brought to and end a series of meetings with the Residents Association, Town and County Councils. Lengthy letters and explanations were provided to Council members, not forgetting the organisation of petitions and the provision of information to supporters. The latter's support also proved crucial, an example of which was seen in the Carmarthen Journal some weeks ago in the form of Lisa Rice's letter - so full of common sense and sincerity. A big thank you is given to everyone who helped.

We will shortly move on to agree and exchange leasing contracts with the County Council. When completed, it will signal an end to our tenancy agreement with the Town Council. It will also be a signal for new and stern challenges - more of those in due course and in respect of which we will once again look to you, our faithful supporters, for continued assistance.

Many thanks. Diolch o galon i chi i gyd.

On welcoming Caernarfon (13/2/99), one is reminded not only of the playing strength of the LoW but also the camaraderie that has been formed between many of its clubs. Caernarfon and its Chairman, Geraint Lloyd Owen, are an example of this. They, like us, have much work to do at their ground, although they are a few steps ahead of us in having installed the necessary TV studio and Gantry for participation in the FAW Premier Cup. Malcolm Williams' favoured option for the studio was to copy Caernarfon, a wise choice, given the BBC's recent accolade in describing their studio as the model to follow. One phone call to Geraint signalled the immediate receipt of their studio plans - just one example of the warmth of the association previously mentioned.

Caernarfon have, like ourselves, submitted to the LoW Board of Directors an application for a Football Trust grant for a much needed grandstand/dressing room area. I was fortunate enough to be present to hear their ambitious application. I am sure it will be favourably received and that we will have to wait a while longer - just as well perhaps, given the immense fund raising tasks that lie ahead.

I mentioned in my last programme notes two weeks ago of our success in receiving Council permission to enclose the ground and that much hard work awaited us. That happy day merely signalled the end of the beginning in our improvement plans. We must now find money to enclose the ground, install turnstiles, TV gantry, BBC STUDIO, provide hardstanding and complete infilling of pitch perimeter fence, not forgetting improving the dressing room and increasing grandstand seating to 500 - I look forward to a new one in the near future.

Successful Football Trust and Sportlot grant aid will not be the panacea to all our ills - only 75% will be received and in any event much of this work will not qualify for support.To our supporters I plead - PLEASE HELP YOUR CLUB. There are so many ways you will be able to do so - more of that in the future. For the moment, all I ask of you is to start thinking about it. But, if we are to move ahead our THOUGHTS will have to be turned into ACTION.