THE most important items to have developed in the past week is that Heanor Colliers FC have secured a three year lease which will enable them to play their home games at Kilburn Welfare.
A lot of hard work has been put in by certain members of the committee in order to finally arrange a meeting as late as last Wednesday evening and successfully gain the lease.
Colliers chose to leave the same ground at the end of season 2007/08 an
d revert back to Brinsley mainly due to the lack of maintenance done during that particular season of ground sharing with various other clubs.
Circumstances have since changed and the club felt that this was the time to make some real effort to make it their home ground. But, whilst the feeling amongst some of the players was not necessarily one of euphoria owing to the fact that the club is required to travel out of the town, it helps to represent in order to secure a home that is relevant to the level of football the club are engaged in.
The facts are that the set up at Kilburn give a feeling of a proper football ground as opposed to a pitch on a council owned and run facility.
It was also confirmed in the past week that Heanor Collier’s Reserves will compete in the East Midlands Senior League for the 2009/10 season. This league will consist of one division of 16 clubs.
Last but by no means least the club have made something of a coup by acquiring a brand new kit via an excellent £650 sponsorship from Bayleaf Restaurant with the new black and white kit also displaying the newly designed Heanor Colliers F C badge.
Pre-season games required
Meanwhile, under a blistering sun last Wednesday and another humid afternoon last Saturday, Colliers’ pre-season training continued.
However, the players can be assured that at least the first of a series of good quality friendlies are not too far away!
The first of these is on Wednesday, July 8, when Colliers travel to South Normanton Athletic.
There is a provisional game at Willington on Saturday, July 11, before a first home friendly against Mickleover Sports.
Saturday, July 18 takes the Colliers on the road to Tyneside to play the famous Wallsend Boys Club who are still recognised with the close links to Newcastle United and of course where Alan Shearer, amongst others, began their careers.
The Wallsend team is currently managed by the father of Manchester United’s Michael Carrick.
Collers will be at home to Midlands Amateur Alliance outfit Acorn Athletic on Wednesday, July 22.
Spare dates
At the time of going to press, manager Glenn Clarence still has three spare dates he would like to fill before the season starts on August 8. Any teams interested in playing a friendly on July 25 and 29 or August 1 should contact Glenn direct on 07853 125046.
There is a fixture specifically for the Reserves against South Normanton Athletic on July 22. However, there are vacancies for reserve team friendlies on July 11, 15, 25, 29 and August 1.
