First & foremost apologies for the delay in sending this update out but I wanted the dust to settle first before updating everyone over what has been an extremely difficult time at Ellerslie CC of late & which has seen unprecedented upheaval over the last few months but I think the club is heading in the right direction & is looking in good shape.

After the sudden & unexpected resignations of Martin & Shirley Charlesworth (Chairman & Treasurer) at the recent EGM new Officers are now in post as the Chairman, Treasurer & Bar Manager posts were filled & I would personally like to thank Ian Perry, Adam Pogue & Adam Newell for stepping up at such short notice.

The accounts have been re-presented having been meticulously double-checked & approved, firstly at Committee level and then more importantly at the recent EGM. Hopefully, we can now move forward with a new Treasurer in place and with some proposed new accounting procedures being implemented, hopefully the finances will be more transparent.

In paying my own tribute to Martin & Shirley Charlesworth I’d like to thank them for all their tireless dedication & hard work in keeping the club afloat throughout some tricky times. Hopefully we can enjoy a period of stability & potentially move on to the next level, and the Charlesworth’s can enjoy some quality time together.

In other news, after a last minute setback losing the prospective club sponsorship deal it took a great effort to see so many of you rally round & secure suitable alternative sponsors. You are all amazing for finding such willing and generous sponsors & it can only help to maintain the clubs commitment in making continual improvements at Little Bounds & throughout the club.

Remember, we have a variety of sponsorship packages available from match ball & player deals, ground banners, as well as kit & club sponsors. So please spread the word to any interested parties.

Ellerslie like most other clubs would not survive without the dedication & generosity of a hardcore group of willing volunteers, calling on people’s free time & the exhaustive efforts they put in to make the club appeal to players of all ages, old or new, keeps the club improving.

Little Bounds has never looked so good in recent years & the tireless efforts of certain individuals in that time have seen it go from strength to strength. It’s always great to see more people getting involved - whether it’s helping on the ground, behind the bar or at the Junior Training on a Friday evening, however as with all these things we need more.
More volunteers, more club coaches & most importantly more parents to become involved with the club. Please ask if you’re interested or have some free time, as every little helps.

The Junior Section continues to go from strength to strength & is the lifeblood of the club plus the ever expanding girls & Women’s sides are proving a force to be reckoned with and the numbers are growing exponentially.

The hard part is trying to accommodate everyone with training nights and all the games to be played at Little Bounds & beyond.

Special mention for Usman Aziz who did a magnificent job in securing a ground for our 3rd X1 to continue to play on after losing East Leake, so we move to Newstead Village for 2026 & the development of our talented youngsters continues.

2026 proposes to be a positive year for the club on & off the field as we play in the Premier League for the first time in the clubs history. So please try and pop down on a Saturday afternoon and cheer the lads on.

Any questions or points of interest you wish to raise then please let me know otherwise let’s stick together remember it’s everyone’s club & we move forward as one.

Paul Harrison
President
Ellerslie CC