Good evening Ladies and Gentleman and welcome to The KRBS Priestfield Stadium for tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Semi-Final tie with The MK Dons. Paul Ince has done a great job, turning his side into genuine League Two promotion contenders, and I have nothing but respect for what he has achieved there. I am good friends with Dons Chairman Pete Winkleman, who is another person doing an excellent job and it is pleasing to see how they are both transforming their club, similar to work Mark and myself are continuing to do here.

Tonight will be a big test for us. Milton Keynes are a decent team with a good group of players and, as mentioned, they are looking towards promotion come the end of the season. However, I know that if we play to the best of our abilities then we will see this game through with some comfort and we can then look forward to the regional final. We go into tonight's game full of confidence from our fantastic festive schedule. Five points from a possible nine, against tough opposition, was a credible haul, and it has left us in a good position to really push on in the second-half of the season. For some of our rivals, the Christmas period proved tough and some really struggled, so we must take much heart from our own performances. Mark Stimson is a breath of fresh-air and is doing a great job. It's just a shame we didn't have him at the start of the season, because we would certainly be much higher in the table and would probably still be in the FA Cup too.

As you will be well aware, the January transfer window is now open and we are actively looking to try and strengthen our squad. Mark and I are making calls to try and improve the team, but as I am sure you can appreciate, it is a difficult process and we have only got a short opening to work with, but I have the confidence that we will get there and bring fresh new exciting individuals to KRBS Priestfield. We want you, the fans, to smile and that is why we are working as hard as possible to get more good players to this club.

In recent notes I commented on how we are looking to leave behind any negativity, both within the club and from the stands, and I am encouraged by the positive support shown in the last couple of matches. The atmosphere that you have created both here at KRBS Priestfield as well as at away matches has een inspiring. Your support has seen our boys through three difficult matches and you really are our twelfth man. The impact of a crowd should never be underestimated, as it can be a truly awesome addition to any team. Once again we need you to really get behind the players tonight and lift the boys through to the next round.

Up The Gills!

Paul D. P. Scally

Chairman