Dear supporters,
After taking a couple of days to take stock of everything and allow some of the emotion of Saturday to settle, I’d like to address the season and the future of our club.
Like you I’m sure, my emotions on Saturday were a mixture of upset, frustration, disappointment and annoyance, all borne out from a terrible season, one we expected so much more from having come down from the Premier League, but also because of the manner of the loss on Saturday in particular.
I hoped this statement would be referencing a great escape, particularly after the hope given to us by recent results, but ultimately, like everyone else I am left scratching my head to understand how we could be so poor in such a big game.
As hurtful as it is, relegation has happened. The club can’t change the past, all the club can do is ensure that they learn from the mistakes that were made and make sure a repeat doesn’t happen.
The drop down to League 1 allows us to get back to what made us so successful on the way up. A reset for everyone that allows the entire club to come together again on and off the pitch and make us stronger.
I am hoping to see as much of our transfer business as possible done early so that the squad can have a complete and better pre-season, be put through their paces and be much fitter to hit the ground running on the first weekend in August.
When I became chair of the Trust, I promised our members that I would ask the club questions and challenge them. To begin that process, I have arranged a meeting with the finance team in two weeks to discuss the recently published accounts and ask questions our members have raised.
I will also continue to push for a similar meeting with Gary Sweet where I will put forward concerns of our members and supporters.
The club have openly promised to communicate more and the time for that to happen is now.
To conclude, this has been a tough season, but the future of our club looks very bright with January signings that look like they can take us forward, a much-needed new stadium on the horizon, an academy which is progressing and winning plenty of trophies and a positive financial outlook.
It is perfectly acceptable to be upset, frustrated and even angry at how Saturday and the season panned out, but in the coming days when the emotions are hopefully less raw, our focus must collectively be on coming together as one to get our club back in the Championship as soon as possible.
Enjoy the summer. See you in August for the beginning of the road back to where we belong.
Paul Stephens
LTST Chairman
