Chairman's Notes - Basildon United 23rd November

Today, we welcome Basildon United to their second visit to the Riverside Stadium (formerly known as the Recway) this century. Their last visit was in the 2018/19 season where they ran out 1-0 victors, one of many defeats we suffered in our relegation season. We have already played Basildon away this season, losing 3-1 at the Hive on September28. From our point of view, the low point of that day was the injury to Adam Capel, who is still missing from the squad, the highlight definitely being the post match food dished up by the club, Ribs, Top quality burgers. Basildon may be the worst place in England to find a pub, but the hospitality shown to us by chairman Dave Maxwell, and the faithful Basildon supporters, was second to none. 

As can be seen by recent results, we are stretched to the maximum at the moment, with key players missing through injury. I have already mentioned Capel, but we also have lost top scorer Jarid Robson for 4-6 weeks with a fractured leg, which was sustained two weeks ago against Brightlingsea. We have sourced reinforcements, but it is a bit of a trying time at the moment, with non availability of key players temporarily. This is not an excuse, but it is a fact. The team has still been performing really well in the circumstances, picking up 4 points from our last 3 matches. Once the next couple of weeks are over, as we head into the Christmas period, we should have a full squad again, which will be essential as we head soon into the second half of the season.

On another note, I think most of us have heard of the recent passing of former Mildenhall manager Dave Pinkowski Senior. (I have added that suffix as I don't want anybody to confuse Dave Senior with his son Dave Pinkowski (Jr), also of course a former Mildenhall Manager.)

Dave passed away at home in Florida after a short illness and I personally wish to pay tribute to a very fine gentleman, who was well loved by the Mildenhall Town family. Dave and his family lived in the town, and the Flynns became very good friends with them primarily through football, what else? Dave was a founder of the Kingfishers football team (We were Safepac), and  great times were had by the youth of Mildenhall and surrounding area, through the opportunities that these teams provided, and none of that would have happened without people like Dave.  Dave himself worked at Safepac during the 70s , and as a youngster, I loved being part of his team, every day being work, but work with a lot of humour involved. They were wonderful times, despite the obvious economic hardships that people were suffering due to the oil crisis, the three day week and rising unemployment. Football and friendship trumped all of those problems. Dave was central to all that was good in those days. A great man, with a great outlook on life. On behalf of the club, I would like to just say to David, Teresa and Sharon that our thoughts are with you at this time of loss, but please take happiness in the knowledge of how well loved your Dad was by the football and wider community of Mildenhall.

Back to the now, lets get behind the boys today, in what will be another tough task. If we all work together, look at the bigger picture, we will succeed in our goal this season, the avoidance of the dreaded drop.

So, enjoy the day, enjoy the craic, enjoy the freedom, and spread the word. This is a truly great club, with a great message of communal engagement.

BILL FLYNN

CHAIRMAN