The first game of a new season is always a big one, but starting with the Ridgeway Derby against Dorchester brought an extra level of expectation and a huge amount of work behind the scenes.
Being right in the middle of the summer holidays, we knew people had holidays, family commitments and plenty of other things going on. That makes the support we had from our staff and volunteers even more appreciated.
From getting the stadium and pitch ready, through to the bars, hospitality, turnstiles, stewarding, ticketing and everything else involved in putting on a matchday, so many people played their part.
And the work certainly didn’t stop at the final whistle.
After 2,272 supporters had been through the Bob Lucas Stadium for a massive local derby, our staff and volunteers were straight back to work clearing up, cleaning and getting everything back in order ready for AFC Bournemouth Women to come in and play their game.
By the time the job was finished, you would hardly have known that more than 2,000 people had been in the stadium just hours earlier. Everything was clean, tidy and presentable and ready to welcome our next visitors.
That probably sums up the people we have around this club. Much of what they do happens when nobody is watching – before the gates open and long after the supporters have gone home.
We have made a lot of changes over the summer and Saturday was the first real opportunity to put many of them into practice. There will always be things we can improve, but I was incredibly proud of what we achieved together.
So to every member of staff and every volunteer who helped before, during and after the game – a huge thank you.
Saturday was a proper team effort, on and off the pitch.
Ralph Ricardo
Chairman
Weymouth Football Club
