On Friday, the club held its AGM at Culverden. The key points to emerge, explained Joe Croker, Chairman, was the new committee being ratified, and also the club becoming a limited company.

For the coming season, the new committee will be as follows:

* Chairman - Joe Croker

* Vice Chairman - Darrell Cousins

* Secretary - James Hitchell

* Accounts - Garry Jeffery

* Welfare - Heather Milton

* Supporters - John Milton

* Fixtures - Phil Allcorn

* First Team Manager - Martin Larkin

* League Watch - Dave Knell

“In addition, we voted to become a company limited by guarantee,” Croker told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk. “This means that we are still controlled by members, and that there are no shareholders - profits cannot be distributed. Our personal liability is restricted to £1.”

Also raised at the meeting was the desire to become more local, and involved in the community as a club. Martin Larkin will continue to use local players, and retained virtually all of those he wanted from last year.

Paul Shipley, manager, Tunbridge Wells U14s has described the recently held open trials for next season’s U13s and U14s sides as a success. Both sides attracted over 25 talented players to the two hour training session.

So what lies ahead during the summer months for those who trained? “All players have been encouraged to participate in a number of local 6-a-side tournaments, and to attend training on the 3G pitch at Mascalls School until the end of June when all players will be notified whether they have been selected to represent TWFC,” Shipley told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.

Shipley’s U14s side will represent the club next season in the Kent Youth League, while Phil Simpson has been appointed as the new under 13s manager - also set to compete in the Kent Youth League. Both Managers have been busy preparing for next season with pre-season friendlies arranged against other Kent Youth League teams including Ashford Borough, Crayford Arrows, Maidstone United and Ashford Town. Players who missed the open trial, but would still like to be considered for the U13 or U14 team next season are welcome to attend training sessions - but are asked to contact Paul (07939 197614) or Phil (07980 646320) for details first.

As for last year’s U15s who finished a highly creditable fifth, missing out on fourth spot on goal difference, coach Darrell Cousins believes over the course of the season his troops improved individually and as a team. “I know the lads that trained with senior players had something that players at most other clubs can only dream about, and I hope this can continue next season.”

Preparing for the coming season in which last season’s U15s graduate to Kent Youth League U16s level, “Tunbridge Wells are slowly building a good reputation - and with the continued support of the senior management and committee it can only get stronger,” Cousins predicts. “So far, we have held one trial session and had a good response. Three players in particular looked interesting, and we are holding another trial in the form of a match on 12th July at Culverden, kick off 11am, where we’ll have some more players to look at. The opponents for that date are to be confirmed.”

U15s training starts on 15th July at Mascalls School, and then on 23rd July, a game at Charlton Youth has been arranged. “We’re still in the process of organizing other friendlies before the Kent Youth League season kicks off on 7th September,” Cousins concluded.

Tunbridge Wells FC has chosen to withdraw its U21 team for Season 2009/10. The temporary move has been made to enable the club to focus its efforts on positioning the first team to consolidate, and move forward.

“There is a lot of work that happens in the background to ensure a smooth transition when a managerial switch happens at any club,” Joe Croker, representing the Tunbridge Wells FC Board told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk. “That is far more the case when it happens with both the first and reserve teams at the same time - and that can sometimes be to the detriment of the first team the second string is primarily designed to support.

“After much discussion, it was felt the focus for Season 2009/10 should be on ensuring a strong and healthy first team flourishes before strength-in-depth is added in the form of an U21 side again in the near future.”

Consequently, the first pre-season fixture will now take place at Culverden on Saturday, July 11^th, when Rusthall visit for a 3pm kick-off.

In the meantime, the board have confirmed that the Youth Teams will increase for the coming season with U13, U14 and U16 teams all playing in the Kent Youth League for next season, continuing to cultivate future home-grown talent for The Wells. Both the U13s and U14s attracted over 25 talented players to the recent open trials held on May 23^rd by FA qualified coaches.

In addition, a disability team and potentially a ladies team will also represent the club next season.

The club is looking for sponsorship for clubhouse equipment to make the clubhouse more sociable, including the following:

• £100 for sensor for men’s urinals to automatically flush;
• £100 for warm air hand drier for gents;
• £100 Warm air hand drier for ladies;
• £90 Water heater for bar;
• £300 Hot cabinet for canteen;
• £200 Chip frier.

Anyone looking for further details or with offers of help should contact Joe Croker: secretary@twfcexec.com

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Saturday's Work Party at Culverden has been postponed.