A Statement from our Chairman: Kevin Fryett

Acting Chairman Kevin Fryett penned the following address to supporters.

“What a remarkable season. What a rollercoaster ride. What a team, what a club, what a town!

“At 4.50pm on Saturday 19th April at Easington Colliery we lifted the Northern League Division One Trophy, and I took a minute from the celebrations just to look around and take the moment in.

“Hundreds of Redcar supporters – many colourfully dressed in fancy dress, some as young as five-years-old – celebrated together with the players as one big family.

“It was a very special moment and cemented the unique bond that this group of players, management, and supporters have created.

“In my 30 years involved with the club it was my proudest moment ever!

“All of us have helped to create a proper community club, something to be proud of, something to shout from the rooftops, something that Redcar as a town needs!

“Redcar takes some very unfair criticism as a town, and moments like this can help to deflect the negativity!

“Redcar should be loud, be proud.

“All of this as mentioned previously has been one big team effort, and it’s been well documented that we have had our problems throughout the season.

“But through adversity came a bond, a coming together that has just rolled and rolled.

“Firstly, the players and management have gone through so much this season. They have been under so much pressure, but one defining moment won us the league for me, and that was on a dark cold night in January.

“I had to sit in the changing room at training and tell the management team and players that financially it was going to be a struggle, and we may not make it to the end of the season!

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“Their response after that not only staggered me, but confirmed to me that as a group this was one of the best squads of players we have had at this club.

“They just wanted to play for the club and the management regardless of whatever anyone else said!

“Carl and his coaching staff had worked tirelessly, speaking to players and encouraging them to stick around and everything would be okay, even though they were never really sure of what would happen!

“The whole situation just highlighted to me that what we had here was a fantastic group of players and management, and there was no way we were losing them!

“When I drove home after that meeting I was even more determined that this club was not just going to tread water, that we would do everything possible to give Carl and his team all the resources possible to sustain the title challenge.

“The hard work had begun and I am not going to sit here and say it was easy, but after lots of sleepless nights, lots of worrying, gradually the pieces started to fall in place and a new Board of Directors was set up.

“All of whom invested and contributed to keep the momentum going, and the rest is history as they say.

“Going into the Northern Premier League will be a massive challenge, but we have stabilised the club and we can now look forward to that challenge with optimism, and continue to put Redcar on the footballing map.

“Step Four football is the highest level any team in Redcar has competed at, and is just three promotions from the National League! Not bad for a small club in Redcar!

“So I want to reach out to everyone at the club and say a massive thank you for your contributions this season.

“The players, management team, physios, media team, directors, committee, volunteers and supporters. You can all be very proud of yourselves. This is a fantastic achievement.

“And finally, to the sponsors, who once again have been fantastic in providing financial support and backing the team.

“I must reserve one special thank you to Tom and Lewis from Telcoss, our shirt sponsors, who have been extra supportive during the dark days and we will never forget that.

“We would have achieved nothing without everyone’s support and contributions.

“Thank you. All together now.”