Christmas is a time for friends and family and I can think of no greater accolade for Lancing Football Club than to say it is the place where I have made a huge number of friends and the place where, every other Saturday, I welcome my football family.

Like all families we’ve had our ups and downs. Some family members have left us while others have joined and a few have returned having been with us before. We’ve had a new management team, a lot of new players, we’ve lost and gained some committee members and even my role as chairman was one that I had to take on quickly and unexpectedly in the summer – the support I have had since then has been incredible and thank you to all of you who have taken the time to speak with me this year. Despite all of this turmoil we end the year in as strong a position as I can remember. Our excellent team on the pitch continues to impress and pick up points and we are starting to think a play-off place might be possible rather than battling relegation as we have done for the last two years. This success would not be possible without every single part of the Lancing machine working properly. The players and managers producing the goods on the pitch, the loud backing we receive every week making Culver Road a difficult place for any team to visit, the hard work of the committee and volunteers and the incredible support of our sponsors and partners all come together to produce a club that is punching above its weight and bringing pride to the club, the village and our community.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed this year and hope you will continue to do so in 2024 and beyond. We’re building something special here at Lancing FC and our football family are doing it together. I look forward to seeing you all on New Years Day.

Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and Come on You Yellows (and blues).

Barry Sutton

Chairman