Rotherham United Programme, 30th August 2008
I can't imagine that there is a single person in the UK who was not aware of the Olympic Games taking place in Beijing and the subsequent success of Team GB. It was a marvellous spectacle and I offer my congratulations to all those forty seven medalists who achieved Olympic glory representing Great Britain.
In the current gloomy economic times the Team's performance seems to have lifted spirits and generated enthusiasm for sport, such is the power of this success. I am sure that our own Community Sports Trust will be looking to use this to further engage the local community across the many sports they now offer.
The success of Team GB has not been an overnight one but is built on investment, science, dedication, hard work, planning and preparation. The British Olympic Association (BOA), who is responsible for the United Kingdom's participation in the Olympic Games, now has a real challenge to sustain that success to 2012. I for one hope that the success is sustained not just for those elite Olympians but that sport as a whole is backed, by both the BOA and the Government, so that everyone in the country becomes more engaged in sport.
The Board of our Football Club has taken a similar approach in developing the Club to that BOA has taken with Team GB. Key to the success of the British Olympians has been good management and coaching. We believe we now have this at the Club with Andy Scott as manager (on a long-term contract) and the subsequent introduction of a new backroom team before the start of the season. The new off-field team are, like their Olympic counterparts, using more of a science based approach to the players' fitness than that which had been done previously. I also believe that, since the manager's appointment, there has been a progressive improvement in the quality of the playing squad. Good training facilities at Jersey Road enable the coaching staff to develop this talent further.
In terms of off-the-pitch sustainability huge steps have been made with securing the land for our own new venue at Lionel Road. Until we are able to move there we have to find ways of reducing our continuing losses and, despite recent reductions in the amount we are losing, it remains a major concern to the Board. We can unfortunately only back our playing side financially so far because of this. Regrettably we don't have the luxury of millions of pounds of Government or lottery money!
Our ‘Gold Medal’ aspiration is to be in our new stadium in 2012 playing in the Championship. Of course, just like the Olympians, there is a lot of hard work to be put in, both in and out of competition, not just by the Board, management and coaching staff, players and non-playing staff but above all by you. Without your continued financial and vocal support our 2012 dream will be just that.
So please continue your support through both the good and bad times ahead and be part of our `Team GP' so that we can all go for ‘Gold’ in 2012.
Let's work together!
Jon Gosling
PS Please give more of the support today that you gave at Barnet last week it was fantastic!
Comments can either be sent to me on or directly via comments page.
31st August 2008