AS another football season draws to a close, and players temporarily hang up their boots for the summer months, the committee members of Crediton United are as busy as ever – not only rounding up one season’s activities but preparing for the next.

Traditionally, football clubs and their clubhouses have been developed to meet the needs of the footballing enthusiasts of a community.

Once, a thriving centre for local footballers and their families to socialise on both matchdays and throughout the week, in recent years clubs have been faced with competition from a host of other social and socialising attractions both near and far – and including the wide range of entertainments available in people’s own homes.

Football has drifted from being the centre-point of club-member’s activities to just another occasional activity for those so inclined.

Previously busy Clubhouses now spend much of the week empty, eagerly awaiting the next home-fixture to see its doors and bar open again and the vociferous post-match debates and arguments take place before going home late in the evening.

Crediton United FC have been busy over this last season attempting to address some of these issues.

First and foremost, it is attempting to situate itself as part of the wider community rather than simply a community of its own.

Increasingly, the clubhouse has already been made available to a large and growing variety of local organisations seeking a place to meet and socialise.

From community groups organising bingo evenings, race-nights, social events, parties, and business meetings - to entertainments set up by the football club for the wider community to enjoy, such as live-bands, disco’s, car boot sales, and other events that offer something for everyone within the community.

For example, the next important community event at the club will be the VE Day Disco on Friday, May 9 and it is hoped it can attract a real community atmosphere, akin to that experienced 80 years ago by many of our predecessors.

It is an important anniversary date in the calendar, and one that Crediton United AFC believe should be upheld and celebrated.

That is just one of many such events the club is seeking to host in the future and we hope the town and its residents/organisations will help support our attempts to unite us all in an even greater sense of “community” now and through the future.

Anyone interested in attending our VE Day Disco can attend in period dress (with eight decades to choose from) should they wish, and there is no advanced booking requirements – tickets will issued at the door at a cost of only £5 per person, and the doors will open at 7pm.

More details of that event and others, as well as potential clubhouse bookings can be obtained from Ian Cann ([email protected]).

A very big thank you from the Club to everyone who has supported us during this last season – both on matchdays and at social events and we look forward to seeing you all again very soon.

Dr Rod Hawker

Chair, Crediton United AFC