THE COST of running a reserve team dominated proceedings at Slade Green's Annual General Meeting earlier this week, writes Stephen McCartney.

The committee at The Small Glen outfit were concerned the financial outgoings of the reserve team had spiralled somewhat out of control and had left the club running at a loss.

It was therefore decided to organise several functions during the coming season to raise funds and rectify this problem.

Secretary Bruce Smith expressed his dismay at the club’s disciplinary record, which saw the reserve team finish bottom of the Fair Play League.

He admitted the club had been charged by the KCFA and insisted that this must not be repeated next season otherwise the good name that the club has built up over the years with the KCFA would be severely tarnished.

It was a notion that the first team and reserve team management: Terry Malin, Phil Miles, Peter Little, Jeff Ives and Steve Kemp agreed needed to be addressed.

Chairman Brian Smith was pleased to announce that up until now the perimeter fence enclosing the ground had proved to be a deterrent to wanabee vandals, who have been restricted to throwing stones over the fence into the ground.

He also confirmed that plans were now being put in place for further ground improvements to bring The Small Glen up to the required standard set by the FA in time for 2007.

In his end of season report, Green joint-manager Terry Malin congratulated Ives and Kemp on the success of the reserve team, who in their first season, reached the semi finals of the Kent League Cup and Kent Intermediate Cup as well as just missing out on promotion from the Kent League Division Two.

As for the first team Malin admitted his bitter disappointment with the club's league position and performance in the cup competitions in view of the players signed during the season.

With no financial budget at his and Miles' disposal, Malin claimed that it was becoming increasingly more difficult to attract quality players to the club and stated the importance of having a reserve team as the way forward for the club.

Off the field, new programme editor Barry Feist was introduced to the committee and management team.

Speaking on his appointment Barry hoped to bring some fresh ideas to the programme and even discussed the idea of possibly producing a programme for reserve team matches.

Finally an open day, (painting, strimming the bank, grass cutting,etc) was provisionally booked for Saturday 16th July.

Meanwhile, Slade Green have announced five pre-season friendlies (including two double headers for their first and reserve teams).

The games are against Camberley Town (h) Saturday 23rd July (1pm + 4pm), Basildon United (a) Tuesday 26th July, Bowers & Pitsea (h) Saturday 30th July (1pm + 4pm).

The Green finish their warm-up matches with two home games against Cray Wanderers (Tuesday 2nd August, 7:30pm) and Tilbury (Saturday 6th August, 3pm).