Town chairman Roland Wycherley's message from tonight's programme
Last season's promotion campaign was the culmination of many years of investment and hard work by all concerned with the club, coupled with the tremendous support we have received from our supporters. It was very rewarding to realise our ambition of progressing into League One.
Graham Turner and his staff, together with the players, performed very well over the season to achieve promotion and we are now ready for the challenge of League One football. This means meeting some larger and well established clubs with experience of life in the upper echelons of the league structure, among them tonight's visitors, Preston North End.
It has been a busy summer at the Greenhous Meadow in which the squad has seen changes as Graham has sought to bring in more experience, talent and commitment to build a squad capable of acquitting themselves well in League One. I am sure you are looking forward to watching them play, as am I. Some of the performances in pre-season against Championship opposition were excellent with the team continuing to play entertaining, attacking football.
There is a feeling of optimism around the club. I witnessed that in speaking to supporters at the recent very successful and well attended open day. It was very pleasing to see so many supporters enjoying the day. Season ticket sales, together with Sovereign Club renewals, have been very encouraging and this reflects the positivity in the supporter base about the club at the moment.
Thank you, as always, for the excellent backing which we, as a club, continue to greatly appreciate. Thank you, too, to all the supporters who turned out in such impressive numbers for the opening two games of this season at Leeds United in the Capital One Cup and then again at Sheffield United on Saturday.
While I'm thanking people, it would be remiss of me not to convey my appreciation to Tony Bywater and Salop Leisure for their continued sponsorship of the South Stand. I am also delighted that, thanks to Peter Ford, the North Stand has now been re-named the Pro-Vision CCTV Stand in partnership with Samsung.
Once again we are indebted to Derek Passant and Greenhous for their loyal support for the stadium and shirt sponsorship. We are proud to be associated with these local businesses.
Enjoy today’s match and I hope we will all have plenty to cheer us through this first season in League One.
RE Wycherley.