Good afternoon and welcome to Kenilworth Road this afternoon for today's match with Tamworth.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to today's visitors, their players, management, staff and supporters who have made the journey to be here.
Tamworth have made a very impressive start to the season having been promoted to the Blue Square Premier after title success in the league below last season.
I would like to congratulate them on that achievement which has, as results have shown, given them the confidence to carry on from where they left off last season.
They lie above us in the league table and we therefore realise, like all matches we face this season, that it will be a tough encounter.
A lot has been documented in the last few days following Mick Harford's departure.
It has been a sad time for everybody connected to the Club, none more so than for all the players and staff.
Mick would be the first person to admit that football is a results-based business and while results and performances haven't been as good as we would have liked, it is a huge blow to see him leave.
We know that there has not been a consistent level of performance on the field this season: performances have been Jekyll and Hyde-like which has been a major frustration for us all.
One week we would be able to beat the Mansfields and Cambridges of this world while other weeks we would struggle to impose ourselves in matches, like we did against Stevenage on Tuesday.
However, we must look forward and today presents us with an opportunity to restore our pride by going out there and getting the three points.
It might be an old cliché, but given the current circumstances a win is the most important thing this afternoon and that is something I have stressed to the players.
They know that their next manager could be watching from the stands today so rest assured: they will be fired-up and ready for the difficult challenge knowing that their place in the team is being scrutinised.
A win would also enhance our chances of breaking back into the top five of the division.
With 33 games to go and 99 points to play for, the coaching staff and I are confident that this group of players can go on and enjoy success this season.
You will play a massive part today's game. We need you to be our 12th man this afternoon so please get behind the lads.
All the players, Kevin Watson, Dmitri Kharine and Harry Scott-Stackman and myself, would like to wish Mick all the best and thank him for the hard work, passion and commitment he has put into this football club.
Enjoy the game.
Alan.
