CHAIRMAN GIVES HEARTFELT THANKS TO FANS

Wood Chairman Danny Hunter wants to thank the club’s travelling fans, after Luke Garrard’s charges were knocked out of this year’s FA Cup, with a slightly cruel, 3-0 away defeat to Coventry City, at the Ricoh Arena.

Hunter said: “we so wanted to give our fans the fairytale they deserved, and Luke was absolutely determined to start the game on the front foot. We not only started on the front foot, we dominated in truth, for the next twenty-seven minutes. Unfortunately, at this level, if you switch off or get caught the wrong side, even for a split second, you get punished. And that was the story of the first half and game really.

“Coventry scored with their first attack and shot on goal after 27 minutes. We then regained our composure and bossed the next thirteen minutes, but Coventry went and scored with only their second shot on target In the 40th minute. And, when you’re two down at half time, and chasing a game, that’s not a good place to be in if you’re an underdog team playing away.

“Second half we then concede early and in truth it’s game over…But the story for me as this club’s long serving chairman, has been the togetherness shown by this dressing room all season, and the amazing support that we’ve been shown from our town and fans throughout this amazing cup run.

“When I’m hearing that the supporters trains out of Euston, are getting cancelled and those that do run, are not stopping at Watford. Then of course I’m concerned for their well-being, being stranded, and if they are out of pocket. But, when you arrive at the ground and you see around 700 of your supporters there, that they have found a way to get up to the Ricoh Arena, and they are singing themselves hoarse for the team, it’s emotional and it fills you with pride.

“Throughout the whole game, it was only our fans who were creating a proper cup tie atmosphere. And when I can also see my manager and our players giving it everything they’ve got for the club and fans, you know you’re building something special. When you can then see our young players blossoming before my eyes, like young Kane Smith… I cannot tell you how proud that makes me feel.

“I saw so many old school friends, I saw my next-door neighbours, the mates I used to play football with and people I hadn’t seen for years. So tonight, it feels in a world that’s now about Twitter, about instants news, instant success, instant progress, that our football club has once again, somehow connected with its town, and our town has somehow connected once again with its football club.

“So I just want to say to my manager, my staff, our incredibly talented and focused players and of course to our 700 travelling Wood Army. You have done yourselves, your club and your town proud today… THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.”