“Please don't expect miracles!” Great Yarmouth Town chairman Steve Brierley warned the club's members and supporters this week. The new supremo - who took office in November but has only begun his task in earnest since the end of last season - was speaking at the annual meeting on Monday, writes Gerry Brown.

“Please don't expect miracles!” Great Yarmouth Town chairman Steve Brierley warned the club's members and supporters this week.

The new supremo - who took office in November but has only begun his task in earnest since the end of last season - was speaking at the annual meeting on Monday, writes Gerry Brown.

“There were some major losses in certain areas last season and we've stopped that rot, I believe.

“But to get this club going anywhere will not be an overnight job, it might take two or three years to start moving us up.

“We will not be breaking any banks but we've made a good start to securing the finances for the immediate future.

“We now have a commercial manager who is investigating several areas for us, we have many new sponsors on board, we have an experienced manager to work with Kevin Cruickshank on team matters, the clubhouse refurbishment is nearing completion, and things are moving ahead. But there is still much to do, so I must ask for your patience!”

Brierley praised the efforts and achievements of Cruickshank after he took on the first team in difficult circumstances and said the addition of Paul Tong to the management structure was another massive boost for the club.

He had every confidence the pair would make a winning partnership.

Director of Football Dale Gordon, recruited by Brierley when he became chairman, explained his plans with regard to the forthcoming pre-season fixture against Scottish Division One side Clyde on July 12.

“Clyde are paying for their own flights down but we have to find and fund their accommodation while they're here. We are looking for a sponsor to come forward for this one-off occasion for the town.”

Clyde have been a strong force in Scottish football in the past and have won the Scottish Cup on three occasions, so Great Yarmouth FC feels honoured to be able to entertain them, and it is to be anticipated that the supporters and general population will turn out to watch the game especially with the numbers of Scots now living here and also those on holiday.

“During the afternoon, we will be putting on a four-team tournament featuring the U9s, and a penalty-shoot competition for spectators at half-time. After the match, the fun will continue in the clubhouse in the evening,” continued Gordon.

“Andy Goreham, one-time manager of Glasgow Rangers and now the coach at Clyde, will entertain the fans in the clubhouse in a question-and-answer session. We will be selling tickets at £10 for this and a buffet will also be provided. It will also be a first chance for most people to see the changes in the clubhouse.”

Looking further ahead, Gordon said that an evening with Norman Whiteside, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland player, is also being arranged for August 2 at the

Imperial Hotel. Tickets for both events will be on sale soon.

Reporting a significant loss in the accounts, secretary/treasurer Brian Smith explained this was due to the football club having to subsidise the social club “as we suffer from not having enough bodies to put on functions,” and from payment of back-rent.

Finding volunteers in any field is increasingly difficult these days, but an appeal was launched for more help in running the day-to-day business of the football club as, although the club's financial position was now improving, there was still a need for more “bodies” on the ground.

Smith said: “I would urge everyone to dig in and help to take this club forward as we cannot

dwell on the past; we need a lot more help on

match days.”

Offers of help are welcomed in person or by telephoning Smith on 01493 656099.

In the committee elections, the serving members were re-elected unopposed.

The club unreservedly passed a vote of thanks, proposed by member David Cooke, to Julia and Nick Banham for the tremendous contribution they made to the club over many years before they resigned last November.

The committee next meets in early July to fix admission prices, season tickets, membership fees etc for the coming season.