Friends of the Grove summer working party info

[RobYeltz]

Evening all,

With the season over we look to the off season to complete some of the much needed work around the ground. I thought I'd give folk an idea of what the plan of action is;

Some of you may have noticed the eyesore tangled netting and poles at the Stourbr*dge Road end came down a couple of months ago, the netting itself actually isn't too bad and we're hoping we can recycle most of this and replace it between the corner flag and Harry Rudge Stand, the idea being we'll lose less footballs into the cesspit of a pond behind the fence!

The Harry Rudge Stand kitchen and sponsors lounge is in need of a paint job along with the toilet areas and they'll be completed on the rainy day working parties. If we get time we may also re do the board room, however this was last painted 2/3 years ago so isn't a priority. The guttering at the Harry Rudge Stand is also in need of repair and possibly replacing. The good bits we think we can recycle and use in the area outside of the changing rooms.
The walls leading from the car park area to the board room are also in need of re-rendering and painting. Bushes, shrubs and trees in this area also need trimming and removing.

Outside of the changing room area needs a big overhaul. The plan is to replace almost all of the galvanised guttering at the back of the shed end as it is leaking badly where it has rusted away over the years. We'll be adding proper drain pipes and making proper soakaway drainage for the rainwater to go away. Acco draining will be added too. We may also put some boot cleaning facility for the players in there too if time and money allows, this will enable the shower and changing areas to be protected a little better. The area here regularly floods and sponsors, players and directors often end up wading through big puddles.

The changing rooms, all of the ceiling tiles in need of replacement will be replaced and those that can be cleaned will be. Some tiling is required in the officials changing rooms.

The programme shed, is continuing to be built next to the club shop. Here you'll be able to purchase your match programme and 50/50 ticket, inside there will also be a memorabilia shop, with items of nostalgic interest from many non-league and professional teams including the Yeltz of course.

There'll be plenty of other stuff going on as well, for example repairing parts of the terracing that is starting to crumble. if you feel that you can offer any help then please get in touch. We have building, plumbing, carpentry and electrics expertise, all we often need is people to paint, clean, carry and fetch or make the tea. A bacon/sausage breakfast is given to everyone who helps out.

A good proportion of this work will be carried out by fans and finances for it will be coming from the FOTG monthly draw. How much we actually get done will obviously depend on bodies on board. We'll be there most Saturday mornings and I guess other times too, if you can spare a few hours then it will be most appreciated. If you can't help out but want to join the draw then please get in touch.

Hope to see a few faces on Saturday from 9am. Oh and you might want to bring a mug for your cup of tea ;-)

[ginger dynamo]

Thanks for the updates. Please can you tell me when will the FOTG May draw will be taking place?

[yeltz85]

Great work Rob. I know how much time you have been putting into all of this and how much effort and planning it takes whilst having a full time job too.

Hopefully you will get more help this summer. Its easy for people to criticise and moan when things are not right/done.

FOTG funds should help though perform a lot of this work which is excellent!

[RobYeltz]

Thanks for the updates. Please can you tell me when will the FOTG May draw will be taking place?

Hello mate, the original date was going to be at the awards evening. However, due to work/family commitments I didn't manage to get this organised in time. I may do it on Saturday at the working party but it'll most likely be the week afterwards.

[RobYeltz]

Great work Rob. I know how much time you have been putting into all of this and how much effort and planning it takes whilst having a full time job too.

Hopefully you will get more help this summer. Its easy for people to criticise and moan when things are not right/done.

FOTG funds should help though perform a lot of this work which is excellent!

Cards on the table, my worry this year is the work we plan to do perhaps isn't quite so visible to the match going fan, but is essential work to maintain the upkeep of the stadium. I'd really like as many Yeltz fans to come and see what we're doing. I appreciate not everyone can help or offer finances but having contacts or people we know can be equally as useful.

Irrespective of your opinion of the manager, owner or even the badge the one thing we all have in common is the place we all watch our football. Having seen us play in every NPL ground we do have one of the better grounds, however we need to keep improving it. I think of it like a house, if you don't maintain your property it'll lose value and cost you more in the long run.

[RobYeltz]

A productive day today, lots of work completed, thanks to those who came to help. Thanks also to those who came to the ground to see for themselves what was going on and what we plan to do over the summer.

A good number of season ticket holders and and FOTG draw members saw what their money is going towards.

Anyone else wanting to see what we're doing I'll be there next Saturday morning and most Saturdays during the summer. If anyone wants to come and see the work on an evening I'm happy to meet people during the summer.

[wednesburystokie]

Echo your words Rob, and was so good to see the season ticket holders taking time out to look around and appreciating the work being done around the place.

[andy]

Things were really coming on apace. Well done to all of you involved.

[lutleyyeltz]

After buying season tickets, today, Rob showed myself and Big Mick around the unseen" areas of the ground that are due for - and need - improvement.
The work that is being done is phenomenal and all praise to those who give their time,expertise and sweat to improve the appearance of The Grove.
All this is funded from the FOTG draw and I would ask that anyone who cares about HTFC, if they possibly can, to join this valuable and necessary source of funds for the sole benefit of keeping the structure of the ground maintained.
There has been, in the past, a disregard for the appearance and quality of the facilities for players, officials and visiting club personnel. This is now being addressed and will present the club in a far better light.
For the match day punter the important thing is what happens on the pitch but, if there was not the band of volunteers to get the ground ready, there would not be a game.
Like an iceberg, there is more below the surface at The Grove on match day than grass with white lines on it!
All credit to the Band of Brothers (and Sisters)!

[JohnC]

Please if you can only give a few hours of your time over the summer then any help is appreciated.

When an ex-chairman in his 70's (not Colin this time) is prepared to come and help, could not some of you younger people spare a couple of hours?