May I extend a very warm welcome to the Players, Coaches, Directors and the Supporters of Dorchester Town FC to Westleigh Park. We look forward to competing on the field but remaining football friends, whatever the result.

As we begin 2026, it feels like an ideal moment to reflect on where we are as a football club and, just as importantly, where we want to go. The turn of the year always brings renewed optimism in football, but it also brings clarity, a chance to take stock, reset expectations and ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Across the game, recent months have once again underlined how quickly things can change. From the Premier League downwards, we’ve seen a familiar churn of managerial appointments and departures, often driven by short-term thinking and mounting pressure. The modern football manager operates in a relentless environment, where patience can be in short supply and headlines can dictate decisions. It serves as a reminder that leadership, stability and alignment at board level are more important than ever.

Here at Havant & Waterlooville, we strongly believe in learning from the game at all levels. While the spotlight often falls on the biggest clubs, there are lessons to be taken throughout the football pyramid about culture, clarity of vision and the value of trust. Our recent decision to appoint Aaron Martin was taken with these principles firmly in mind. It was not about reacting, but about progressing.

The early signs since his appointment are extremely encouraging. Our form has been excellent, placing us right at the top of the form table, and perhaps just as pleasing has been the togetherness and belief that is evident both on and off the pitch. Results matter, of course, but so does how they are achieved. We are seeing a squad playing with confidence, discipline and pride, hallmarks of strong leadership and clear standards.

A new year also challenges us to raise the bar. Momentum is a powerful thing in football, but it must be matched with hard work, humility and consistency. As a Board, our responsibility is to support the manager and players in every way we can, while ensuring the long-term interests of the Club remain at the forefront of every decision. Sustainability, community connection and ambition can, and must go hand in hand.

What matters is that we remain grounded in our values and focused on the standards we set for ourselves.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Your backing, home and away, plays a huge role in what we are building together. Let’s approach the rest of the season and the year ahead with belief, unity and a shared determination to keep moving this club forward.