“As we close a chapter on 2025 and walk into 2026, I once again reflect on another calendar year, one which has provided challenge and triumph, one which has given positive memories to all connected with the football club, and one which saw us take one step closer to being back where we want to be.

In a year that has tested patience, belief and resolve, that sense of togetherness that we always talk about has mattered more than ever. There have been moments this year that lifted us and moments that challenged us. That is the nature of football, and perhaps of life itself. Progress is rarely straightforward and rarely in a straight line, and rebuilding something with deep roots takes time, care and honesty, something we’ve always tried to do since coming in. We have made mistakes throughout the year, of course we have, but if we don’t win, we learn, and we have once again learned a lot both on and off the pitch. Rebuilding a club which many people said was on the “brink” after COVID was never going to be a quick process and it would never be complete in a season, and it will still take some time yet to complete. We’ve always had historic issues lingering over us, never had a fresh clean slate to work from, and that’s something that will never change. Where a community body such as a football club is concerned, no one should ever be complacent. Help to progress is always required, always appreciated, and very much is always welcome.

What has never wavered, however, is the commitment of those who care about this club. From supporters in the stands, to volunteers who give their time each week behind the scenes to make the club & facilities a better place to come to, and to the players and staff who represent “Ab U” with pride. To each and every person, I want to say, quite simply, thank you for everything over the course of 2025.

Everyone’s efforts, both on and off the pitch, have contributed to one of the most successful years in recent history, when you consider the rebuild we’ve continued, and especially in terms of average attendance and that deep rooted work ethic and positivity ripples through the club as a result of what has been instilled recently by all our managers from Jules, Smithy, Dave & Graham, Graham Cole and Jez Moore through to all the youth managers involved in bringing us the success we’ve had over the course of the year.

Once again, everyone has had their part to play, and the Committee continue to take on their roles and responsibilities in aiding the club back onto the right path: Alan, Debbie, John, Robin, Alistair, Adam, Chris and Mark play an integral part of that through their involvement, with all our roles at a maximum we always need help and would welcome anybody that would like to help this great club. The years have truly flown by, and I’m now into my third season already, and now move into our fourth calendar year where i hope we as a club to make more progress, continue learning and ultimately make everyone proud to support Abingdon United. For me, it’s a pleasure to be involved at the club on a day-to-day basis it has its headaches but it don’t matter what form of business you are in they have them. To come in and work alongside our team behind the scenes, to be involved with the players and football staff, and just to be part of the environment continues to make it worthwhile and a timely reminder of why I wanted to help in the first place.

It would be remiss of me not to mention our our sponsors and partners, who played there own individual part in our progress over the last three seasons. Moving our kit supplier from Hummel to New Balance this season and our training ware moved to Joma four individual companies have paid there part in sponsorship with this CAIRA Renovations, Dyno-Plumb, Abingdon Kitchens & Bathrooms and Clearwater pools alongside Manor Flooring who have sponsored “The Stand” for the last three seasons. Also alongside our annual pitch side sponsors. It’s not easy getting sponsors in each season but it proves that everyone wants to be involved at this club, so thank you to all our partners & sponsors.

It would also be remiss of me to pass thanks to John Mills who took the baton in leading this club from Jon Beames in January 2023 for the contribution he made in 2025 and assembled a squad capable of battling for promotion to step 5, it took two and a bit seasons to formulate, but he found a way from the last kick of the game against Bewdley, to the last pen at Clanfield to an excellent display against Wantage in the final, these were all magical moments & evenings which won’t be forgotten! as time moves on so do players who look to ply there trade elsewhere. This baton has now been passed to Julian McCalmon who is creating his own back room staff and playing squad to take us to the next level.

With this at writing Chris Smith and his team are doing the club proud in National League step 4, currently sitting fourth and putting in the displays to help get the points on the board. He has some key players in that squad whose experience and loyalty over the years have been impeccable and with an established development programme in place it can only get stronger.

The Development squad under the guidance of Dave Stanley & Graham Ahier currently joint top at time of writing, I’m excited to see how this journey develops with player development, the pathway has been set linking in with Graham Cole’s allied counties u18s setup who are currently second in there respective league at the time of writing.

2025 has been another year of learning. We have learned about resilience, about patience and the importance of making decisions that serve the long-term health of the club, not just short-term gain. Trust is built through openness, consistency and action, and earning trust is always an ongoing process.

Our main focuses for 2026 is to harness that further. Fan & member engagement is one of our core values that we want to improve on. I feel we’ve made massive strides, but we can always do more, and will always be able to do more. We want to launch quartly progress events and that is the start of more interaction, more learning and trying to get more things right. We will not always get it right, but every decision we do take is what we feel is for the right reasons, and for what we feel will benefit the football club, and the business, the most. We look forward to welcoming these events they won’t always be on a matchday and will be held when we have no events at the club - please take time to come along and participate when announced.

Behind the scenes in getting the club “out there” We know we have the right team behind the scenes to deliver that goal, and the right leadership to motivate and drive that mission. It’s no secret that we operate with a small, tight knit group, but a hard-working group who go above and beyond for each other and for the badge. What we probably lack in numbers, we make up in loyalty, drive and commitment, and that’s worth so much more.

From the finance team getting the finances right, Harry Burton operating the media side of things in getting the club out there, Adam French in delivering the youth message, Mark Reynolds in leading the lease we all play our part.

The bar is playing a massive part in club progress with record sales being reached helping the club be profitable, this is reflected in the installation of SKY Sports to the main bar area and when you hear comments from the brewery saying “We are ordering more than ever” we know we are getting it right. This is all helped with attendance at games, Music events and club events such as darts competitions, boogie bingo and private functions. Despite rumours the message is clear this club and especially the bar is in “Good hands” and not struggling.

A remit has been set out, and will be fleshed out in the New Year over a series of team meetings where we have to deliver more. We have to deliver more to you as members, supporters, and we must as always look to increase revenue for the business to allow it to thrive alongside the football. It all goes hand-in-hand with success. More revenue equals improved facilities, more supporters/sponsors an improved playing budget, and wise usage of a higher budget results in an improved chance for success. Having had conversations and meetings with Alan, Jules, Harry and the staff behind the scenes, I know there are ideas on the table, and it’s our intentions to bring some to fruition across the year. The vision is exciting, and we have the team to deliver it in stages, and we know you’ll support the team we have behind the scenes as much as we do as a Committee.

It’s been said before, but we have to utilise the ground more as a venue, and that will also be another targeted revenue stream. December was a productive month with higher attended music Nights, events and hires for various events, but we must look to make the The Northcourt a hub for businesses, the go-to place in Abingdon for hospitality and events, and top of the list for all things in between. This will take time, but it’s a key part of our sustainability plan. If we can get more use out of the venue when football isn’t occurring, that will only help the overall business. With that comes renovations and a desire to freshen up a number of internal areas on our footprint, there are plans to start this with our lounge bar renovation to bring it to a more modern area for hospitality and meetings, new medical room and offices in the football department. We have our dedicated volunteers who do a fantastic job, and are always on the lookout for tradespeople to assist us further, either with time, expertise, materials or all three!

Heading into January, we sit in a comfortable position on and off the pitch. Ambitions remain high, because that’s where it always should be. But whatever the future brings, our focus will remain on building a club that is sustainable, rooted in its community, and worthy of the badge it carries. We thank everyone involved in helping us to look to achieve and maintain this, from members, volunteers, our staff, the players and every single one of you who comes to cheer us on, home or away, week-in, week-out.

On behalf of the committee and everyone at Abingdon United, I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and we look forward to creating more memories with you on our journey in 2026.

Stefan”