WELLINGON AFC treasurer Reg Oxby reported at the annual meeting earlier this week that the club made a working profit of £4,000 over the past year compared to a loss of £9,000 on the previous 12 months

This was thanks to sponsorship, advertising and bar takings on match days. The money coming in was essential for the running of the club and he thanked all those who helped in various roles as without these volunteers the club would be unable to function. Mr Oxby was happy that the Club was in sound financial position to meet the demands of the forthcoming season and to support future development.

Club Chairman Mike Hall said that in football terms it had been one of the most challenging years. Due to the bad weather, all teams had fixtures postponed and, to fit matches in at the end of the season, had to play ‘home’ games at alternative grounds. The support and understanding of team manAgers was greatly appreciated.

Mr Hall extended the club’s thanks to Tim Legg and Alex Pope for the work they had done with the first team and welcomed Richard Cherry who has taken over the management of the team with long serving first team player Jack Bown-Porter. Next season the Reserves would be under the new management team of Mark Owen, Ken Pearson, Tom Hawkings and Mike Owen. Thanks were due to Nick Buttle and Adam Watson who had run the team for the past season but had decided to step down from their roles. The biggest thing affecting the club community during the season had been the sad loss of player Lloyd Manning, Mr Hall thanked everybody who had provided, and continued to provide, help and support.

Mr Hall thanked all of the officers, committee members, managers, and coaches for all of their work together with volunteers undertaking match day support, bar work, catering and the support for youth teams by parents, without this support the Club would not be able to function. Thanks, were also due to Ken Bird for the media coverage which helped in promoting the club and its activities. Particular thanks were due to Jeff Brown who is stepping down from his role of Secretary.

In his final secretary’s report, Mr Brown said that despite the bad weather, all teams had been able to finish their fixtures in reasonable time, thanks in some cases, to nearbyclubs allowing teams to use their facilities and Wellington Cricket Club allowing the club to extend its time at the Playing Field. The First Team under joint managers, Tim Legg and Alex Pope were hoping to build and improve on their previous seasons but, despite losing a few players and introducing some new faces, they were unable to find any consistency and a disappointing end to the season saw them finish in fifteenth place. An early exit to Willand in the FA Cup was followed by a win in the Vase over Barnstaple before losing a penalty shoot-out against Royal Wootton Bassett in the next round. With Tim and Alex deciding to step down the Club are fortunate to be able to appoint Richard Cherry and Jack-Bown-Porter as the new management team, they hope to retain most of last season’s squad and to introduce some new faces to the team.

The Reserves, under the guidance of manager Nick Buttle and his assistant Adam Watson and with the help of Mike Owen, enjoyed another successful season in the competitive First Division of the Devon & Exeter League and despite drawing eight of their games finished in a very creditable third position - but missed out on promotion. Despite this success Nick and Adam have decided to step down and the club have appointed team captain Mark Owen as mManager to succeed them.

The ‘A’ team, playing their third season in the top-flight of the Taunton Saturday League, finished in last place, but manager Warren Toth, with support from his senior players, and despite being put under considerable pressure on occasions, was able to field a team every week with the inclusion of players from the Under 18s, giving them a valued taste of adult football.

The Ladies team had been promoted to the much stronger First Division of the Somerset County Women’s League and, despite some spirited performances finished bottom. They did, however, reach the quarter-finals of the League cup before losing on penalties. With their coach Anthony Trimm and some of the players leaving, manager Nyima Touray is looking to add some new players to the squad.

The new Wildcats team had a very successful season and won Division Two South by winning all but one of their games.

Under the Management of Joe Conway and Andy Govier the Under 18s were once again sorely tested by the weather and postponements but completed their games in a competitive South Division of the Western Counties Floodlit League. Despite their lack of success, a number of the players progressed through the season and provided valuable support to the senior teams.

The Disability teams were again well marshalled in the Somerset Ability Counts League by manager Jason Fox and his assistants Dale Harraway and Paul Short and their enthusiasm is clear to see while all the youthteams under the auspices of Colin Waller and John Sellick continue to acquit themselves well.

Officers elected: President, Alan Shire; Chairman, Mike Hall; Vice-Chairman, Graham Aspin; Secretary and Membership Secretary, Jane Brown; Treasurer, Reg Oxby; Clubhouse Manager, Jenny Oxby; Welfare Officer and Youth Section Co-ordinator, Colin Waller; Website and Social Media Officer, Ken Bird.

Committee members: Officers plus Mike Bull, Steve Coles, Mike Owen along with managers Richard Cherry, Mark Owen, Warren Toth, Nyima Touray and John Sellick.