To say the season just passed did not quite go to plan would, I'm sure you'll all agree, be somewhat stating the obvious however I am hugely encouraged by the very positive response I have received from our loyal supporters, from the staff within the Club and equally from the Manager and players. Sometimes football can be painful and our destiny can be almost out of our hands, but what is more important is the way in which we deal with the setbacks, the way in which we prepare for what's ahead and the way in which we set about the challenge of achieving success again. No one here at krbs Priestfield is dwelling on the past, more importantly we are all focused on the future and are preparing for some exciting challenges ahead.

MANAGER'S CHALLENGE

Our Manager, who is building an attractive footballing squad, has set a challenge to the team and supporters whereby for every second game we lose at home next season, each season ticket holder will be able to claim a pair of free tickets to a future league home game in the same season (subject to terms and conditions). In effect, that means one free ticket for every home game we lose. Such is the confidence within the team that hopefully Mark won't be authorising the release of too many free tickets in the months ahead.

BLUES BOOTY LOTTERY

Our Commercial Team has re-launched an updated version of the Blues Booty Lottery. The Lottery is aimed at raising funds for our Youth Development and Community schemes and all profits made will go directly to supporting these important areas of your Club. Please sign up and join this very exciting lottery and with the weekly cash prizes on offer, who knows - maybe you'll be recovering the cost of your season ticket plus more!!! It costs just £1 per member per week, you can pay monthly, quarterly or annually and you can sign up for as many memberships as you like. The more you sign the more chances of winning. The lottery will go live as soon as we have a minimum of £1,000 members on board but hopefully the first live draw will take place on Thursday 10th July 2008.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Finally, our new Football in the Community Foundation is being launched with an objective of pushing heavily into the Community and particularly the schools in Medway and beyond. In tandem with our sponsors krbs.com we will be offering many exciting packages to our younger supporters in Kent including free admission to those aged 11 years and under who have joined either the Tommy T club (0-7 years) or The Net (8-11 years), and a variety of other special packages accessed through our Partnership Schools who have signed up to our schools partnership agreement. If you would like your school to be involved in this exciting new opportunity ask your head teacher to contact Kerry Craigie on 01634 350109 or email kcraigie@priestfield.com

So plenty to look forward to, and some very positive feelings for the season ahead. The business is in good shape, the team to a man are behind the Manager and believe in the way in which he wants to play his football, and they want the same success, and more , as we've all enjoyed in the past and which we so dearly crave for the future. Be sure you're with us on the journey and please sign up for the lottery as well - it's the future of this very fine Club.

Enjoy the summer and see you all in August. Up the Gills!

Best Wishes

Paul D P Scally

Chairman