We now know our destiny back in the Spartan South Midlands League but this time where we deserve to be, with promotion to the Premier Division (step 5) for the first time in the clubs history. It's been a long wait (over a year) before we could see reward for the amazing effort of our players in the last two years.

To go unbeaten in the league for such a sustained period takes incredible determination, commitment and focus and they should rightly get the credit they deserve. The promotion has of course been achieved by the decision from the FA to calculate the last two seasons via points per game making Rangers the No 1 team. I hope this will be acknowledged by the Hellenic League and some kind of trophy will be awarded to recognise the teams achievement, it's no more than the players deserve.

The recent success of the club has been a real team effort on and off the pitch, on behalf of the players I would like thank Richard, Nick and all the committee for their unbelievable support and a special mention to Cherie and Barry the clubs main sponsors who have never missed a game with Cherie attending development and youth team games as well to give her support. I am so humbled to be working with this fantastic group of people and they deserve this success as much as anyone. Their immense work and effort doesn't get the accolades we get for what we do on the pitch but without it we would not be celebrating this promotion.

Our biggest achievement is the work we have done to put the building blocks in to create a pathway for our younger players to progress. Of course everything has been blighted by Covid but bringing Mark Endean in to manage the Development team and creating our Allied Counties team under John Pusey is critical to our longer term success. Mark is already producing players that are knocking on the door of the first team or in the case of Lewis Patrick becoming first team regulars, John also has some real talent in his group and I hope when we get back to some kind of normality the fruits of their labour will show with their player development. I am also working closely with Andy Quigley, Chairman of Risborough Rangers Juniors to ensure we have a joined up approach to progress throughout the club.

Finally I would like to thank my own management team of Paul and Jon supported by our senior players who have given such wise counsel when my head was all over the place and have been such a vital reason the club has progressed in such a positive way, it is a real team effort and I would not be able to do this without them. This year we also had Harry Thurkettle join us as physio and he has made such a difference in getting the players prepared on a match day.

We go into a new league which does look a tough challenge but one we will relish, Risborough Rangers is in a great position to kick on. We have a an excellent pre-season schedule lined up which will be published very soon and our own pre-season training will commence on Thursday 24th June, again more details will be published nearer the time.

Enjoy the summer break and hopefully for England a successful Euros

Best wishes
Mark