The curtain has now come down on the 2012/2013 season and yet again all teams have given it their all and treated us to a great season on the pitch. It’s also been a success off the pitch, as we’ve yet again managed to raise enough funds to make another worthwhile purchase for the Football Club for next season.

TEAM PERFORMANCE
First Team:-
The season didn’t end in the fashion that the team were aiming for and their unbelievable effort and commitment in a very testing end of season schedule didn’t reap the rewards it fully deserved. Due to various postponements caused not only by weather but opponents being in cup games, it left Lowestoft playing eleven games in April with the final fourteen days of April seeing the team play seven times (five of them being away trips).
This ended up being one hurdle too many in their hopes of catching eventual league winners Whitehawk but the blood, sweat and tears shown by every individual in the squad ensured that Lowestoft finished second in the league and secured home advantage in the play-offs.
We all know what happened in the play-off final and the Suffolk Premier Cup Final which followed this. However, even though there’s still a bit of hurt remaining and a slight taste of disappointment in everyone’s mouths (players, management, fans, chairman, etc, etc) the stronger and more overriding taste is the desire to come back even stronger and to all go again as one next season, to get the conference football that this club deserves.
I’m sure I speak for the large majority of the supporters in saying how much we appreciate and admire the efforts of the players and management this season. The last month or so in particular was very hard and in the end we didn't quite achieve our goal but are very aware of the sacrifices made by all of them. Hopefully next year will bring the results that their efforts deserve.

Reserves and Academy:-
After a very bright start to the season by the Reserves, both the Academy and Reserve sides had a mixed bag of results throughout the remainder of the season.
This was however an almost fresh start for both of these sides with Jamie Godbold and Andy Reynolds at the helm and it was more about development and experience, setting the foundations for growth with a young but eager set of players.
As the season progressed the players continued to grow and the rewards for this were seen in the shape of a number of players receiving numerous call-ups to play for their county.
At times the Reserve side was also used to allow the returning injured First Team players to gain some match time and fitness. This ended up not only proving invaluable in getting First Team players fit but it also allowed the younger players in the Reserve side to gain experience from playing alongside these seasoned players.
Some very young but exciting prospects joined the Academy set-up as the season progressed and as a result the foundations have now been set for both of these sides. So, exciting times lay ahead for the continued develop of a very talented and enthusiastic bunch of players.

Lowestoft Ladies:-
It’s been another fantastic season for our Ladies, who after beating Acle 4-0 at the Crown Meadow on Wednesday 8th May were crowned League Champions and secured promotion for the second season running.
In cup competitions they did fall at the first hurdle in the Woman’s FA Cup losing disappointingly 4-2 to Hethersett Athletic but ran higher opposition Enfield Town very close in a 2-1 defeat in the Ryman Woman’s Cup. Then last Monday they played in the Suffolk Cup Final against the same opposition who defeated them in the final 6-1 last season (Ipswich Town Ladies) but this time the game was not played on a playing field but was held at Portman Road, which was a magnificent experience for the players. Unfortunately for Lowestoft the Ipswich Ladies were in fine form again and showed their class from a few levels higher, dealing Lowestoft a 5-1 defeat.
The cup performances should be looked at in a positive way though, as playing higher opposition in these competitions and pitting their wits against these sides will stand them in good stead as they continue to develop individually and as a team, continuing their push up the levels of Woman’s football. An excellent season Ladies and one they should all be very proud of.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Prior to the start of the 2013/2014 season we will be sitting down as a committee and looking at the memberships for next season. Memberships were slightly down again this season and any input, feedback or ideas are most welcome for this coming seasons memberships (family memberships, etc)

FINANCE UPDATE
Our current balance stands at £1310.10 of which last month we had outgoings to purchase trophies for the Supporters Player of the Season for each team but we also had money come in for the goals sponsorship. The above figure will grow to an end of season figure of approximately £1439.00 once all the remaining goals sponsorship money has been collected.
As a result of this we will be able to make a substantial purchase for the Football Club again, which is fantastic news and a great effort by everyone.

An in depth report of the finances can be requested by any member.

EVENTS / FUNDRAISING
A couple of the events which were laid on towards the end of the season were very poorly attended and at present we are monitoring this and assessing what we can do next season in the way of Supporter Club and Football Club events. It was a real shame in particular to see such a low turn-out for the Oompah Night, which ended up being one of the best nights we’ve had at the club, with everyone in attendance commenting on what a fantastic night they had.

The football season may have now finished but we still have a planned event coming up shortly and then following this, the very first of what will hopefully become an annual Lowestoft Town Beer Festival.

Antony Myers (Sinatra, Buble and Rat Pack Tribute Act) – Saturday 8th June 2013
Lowestoft Town Football Club proudly present the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble and many more performed by the excellent Antony Myers.
Come along to click your fingers and tap your feet on Saturday 8th June 2013 with doors opening at 7pm.
Tickets are priced at just £8 in advance or £10 on the door and are available now from the LTFC Social Club or online at www.lowestofttownfc.co.uk/shop

Lowestoft Town FC Beer Festival – Friday 19th July to Sunday 21st July 2013
This summer will see the first of hopefully what will become an annual Lowestoft Town Football Club Beer Festival.
Across the three days there will be 20 ales and a few ciders on offer from around the county and from further afield. There will also be live music on the Friday evening from an excellent local folk/60’s band and also on the Saturday evening from the renowned Second Hand Blues Band, who have played many high profile gigs over the years and even toured with R&B legends Dr Feelgood - http://www.secondhandblues.co.uk/
Hot and cold food will be available along with the usual Social Club fully licensed bar and there will be a limited number of commemorative pint glasses available to purchase.
Closer to the time we will be looking for volunteers (experience not required but would be welcome) to help serve ale from the barrels for some of the sessions over the three days.
There is a lot of work and effort going into this and the wheels are really gathering pace now. Over the next couple of weeks there will be posters, facebook pages, adverts, etc, etc popping up and we need all of you to spread the word amongst friends and family, to help us make this a roaring success for the Football Club.

END OF SEASON AWARDS
Last Saturday was the Players Presentation Night and an excellent evening was had by all.
I would personally like to thank the organisers for laying on such a great night and even though the club chairman Gary Keyzor was absent and having a much deserved break, there were many heartfelt words for him from everyone presenting and also from the people in attendance. It was quite clear how much everybody at the club (fans, players, management, etc, etc) appreciates the hard work, passion and dedication that Gary Keyzor brings to this club of ours. Thank you Gary for being the best chairman bar none!!!
For those not in attendance the following awards were presented on the night:-
Ladies Team:
Managers Player – Natasha Thomas
Players Player – Marcie Prettyman
Most Improved Player - Chloe Hoffman
Academy Team:
Managers Player – Matthew Wilson
Players Player – Keegan Taylor
Reserves:
Managers Player – Louis Ayers
Players Player – Louis Ayers
First Team:
Joint Players Player – Jack Defty and Erkan Okay (both received a trophy)
Supporters Club:
Ladies Team – Natasha Thomas
Academy Team – Adam Fitzgerald
Reserve Team – Adam Fitzgerald
First Team – Jack Defty
Others:
Terry Lynes Clubman Award – Terry Bullen

PLAYER ‘GOALS’ SPONSORSHIP
With the season now over I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored a player for goals scored this season, as this has allowed us to raise a fantastic sum of £464.90 (some still to be collected).
Kevin Read ended up sponsoring the leading scorer and with a hole now firmly in his pocket (much appreciated Kevin) he will have a signed and framed photo taken with Jack Defty at the start of next season (when recovered).
The final figures are shown below and all outstanding sponsorship money should be paid as soon as possible, so that we can put together our end of season finances and make another purchase for the club. This will follow on from previous years in which we’ve bought the club a water sprinkler system and donated towards the purchase of a brand new ride on mower:-
Lee Smith (7 goals scored):
Tommy Henderson £5 a goal - One goal still to pay
Terry Bullen £5 a goal - Fully Paid
Gerry Lawrence £1 a goal - Seven goals still to pay
Stephanie Secret £2 a goal - Fully Paid
Michael Frew (9 goals scored):
Kevin Read £3 a goal - Three goals still to pay
Debbie Secret £2 a goal - Fully Paid
Danny Cunningham (1 goal scored):
Phil Maskell £1 a goal - One goal still to pay
Valerie Warner £1 a goal - One goal still to pay
David Ainslie £2 a goal - Fully Paid
Dale Cockrill (5 goals scored):
Richard Warner £1 a goal - Five goals still to pay
Robert Eagle (2 goals scored):
Nigel Overy £10 a goal - Fully Paid
Stephanie Secret £2 a goal - Fully Paid
Nathan Stone (2 goals scored - Now left club):
Debbie Secret £2 a goal - Fully Paid
Dan Gleeson (1 goal scored):
Malcolm Newson £1 a goal - One goal still to pay
Jack Defty (20 goals scored):
Kevin Read £3 a goal - Fully Paid
Chris Henderson (16 goals scored):
Paul & Shirley Whitlow £3 a goal - Fully Paid
Jamie Henderson £5 a goal from 27/08/2012 - Eight goals still to pay (Thirteen scored)
Steve & Julie Gook £3 a goal from 13/10/2012 - Eleven goals still to pay (Eleven scored)
Jake Jessup (0 goals scored):
Paul & Shirley Whitlow £5 a goal
All Goals Scored (83 goals scored):
Kennith Annison 30p a goal - Eight Three goals still to pay
League Clean Sheets Away from Home (7 in total):
Plumstead Blue £5 a clean sheet - Fully Paid
Donations Received:- Bill Belton £5 and Kelvin Lloyd £20 (£14 left over from Brian Ellis Collection)

NEXT TRAWLERBOYS MEETING
The season has now ended but with the busy fixture schedule of away games towards the end of the season, we have not yet been able to hold our AGM. We will be looking to hold this at some point in July (pre-season) with a date to be advised.

MONTHLY HOSPITALITY WINNER
This will recommence next season.

CONTACTS
Chairman - Terry Bullen (tbchair2011@gmail.com)
Vice-Chairman - Ken Pointon (tbvice@googlemail.com)
Treasurer - Becky Kent (tbtreas@googlemail.com)
Secretary – Sarah Reeve (tbsec10@googlemail.com)
Membership Secretary - John Neeve (tbmemb@googlemail.com)
Fundraising/Events - Paul Rice (lowestofttownfcevents@gmail.com)

It just leaves me to thank you all for your support this season, not just for the Supporters Club but also on behalf of all the management teams and players across the teams. I would also like to say thank you to my fellow committee members for their hard work and dedication over the season.

Until next season (which will come round before you know it); ADIOS!!

Terry Bullen (Chairman of the Trawlerboys Supporters Club)