END OF YEAR NEWS UPDATE FROM STOKE LANE AHEAD OF LONG EATON CLASH!

Despite the Boxing Day defeat to League leaders Worksop Town, there was a positive atmosphere at the Bill Stokleld Stadium on the day with Bar Manager Jamie Huckerby saying a partial goodbye to the Carlton faithful.

Jamie is taking over as Manager of the local pub “Inn for a Penny” and a card wishing him well was signed by players , management, commitee and supporters as he ran the Howard Mitchell Sportsbar for his last fixture, Jamie is pictured receiving the card and some well deserved beer from captain on the day Jarred Holmes.

Jamie will remain on the staff for the near future as he sees how his new challenge pans out, but his role will involve work mainly on the pitch and only be a few hours a week. The club will make a decision on the way forward with staffing the bar and facilities long term in the coming weeks, but will next week put a temporary plan in place to get through the next few weeks.

Councillor Nicki Brookes has been in touch with the club to once again thank everyone for their support for the Foodbank and told us the bags donated weighed in at 114.75kg, another great effort for the local community and the club is extremely proud of that.

It is no secret that there will be a significant black hole in the club finances this season, given in particular the extra travelling which has resulted in coaches costing around £1,000 for some away games in comparison to an average of £550 last season and Chairman Mick Garton has told us that he will donate a significant prize for a second £10 number card to be run in the new year, he will donate four places in a corporate box at Trent Bridge for aT20 blast game, to include a 2 course meal and all beer and wine which will equate to a prize worth approximately £600 for the winner and his or her 3 guests this coming summer.

The current card has only 16 numbers left and organiser Greg Last is hoping that it can be filled at next Saturday’s game v Grimsby Borough and that the £500 winner can be announced after the game.

Finally there is an update on games postponed in 2022 with the Hebburn Town away fixture now scheduled for Tuesday 24th January, the Bridlington Town home fixture on Saturday 11th February and the away trip to Ossett United now set for Tuesday 21st February.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL AND WE WILL HOPEFULLY SEE YOU AT LONG EATON UNITED ON MONDAY 2nd JANUARY 3pm.