HNNL December 2002 page 4
The Hook Norton Village Newsletter
December 2002 Series 27 No 6

Sports and Social

 


HOOK NORTON AND NORTH WEST CHERWELL SPORTS AND RECREATION PROJECT UPDATE
Planning approvals are now in place for most of the proposed developments including three floodlit Tennis Courts, floodlit Multi Use Games area and new full sized football pitch as well as outline permission for a new Pavilion with changing rooms, bar and community facilities.
An application for the football pitch floodlights and spectator facilities was submitted to the November Planning Committee but was refused. This is a significant set back for progress with the overall project and is a tremendous disappointment following all the hard work that has been put into realising what, overall, could be a marvellous facility for Hook Norton and the surrounding villages.
Despite the Parish Council's decision to submit objections to the last two applications, there has been much discussion with the Project committee and it is hoped that this will continue so that remaining concerns can, where possible, be overcome.
The Project Committee is again having to review the proposals with partner organisations. It is intended that this be concluded swiftly so that plans can be put in place and implemented as quickly as possible. Current facilities can no longer cope with the demands placed upon them. This is particularly the case for Tennis and junior football. The position is equally pressing for senior football where the temporary arrangements for the first team have to be reviewed and plans made. It remains one of the Project's objectives to see a return of the First Team to Hook Norton.
As always, full details of the project, plans and minutes of meetings are available in the Library should anybody wish to view any of the information.
We are looking forward to implementing aspects of the proposals in the New Year, but there is much work still to be done.
Project Committee - On behalf of Hook Norton Sports and Social Club.


 


HOOK NORTON FOOTBALL CLUB
A satisfactory start in the Premier Division of the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League for Hooky's First Team would have been a very satisfactory start had the Team managed to score at least one more goal than the opposition in eight of the sixteen league matches so far played this season when the end result, on each occasion, was only a draw. I say, "only a draw", since this result over the course of eight matches means the loss of 16 valuable points which, even if only half of that number of points had been acquired, would have led to our First Team now being up with the leaders, instead of in its present position, just above halfway in the table. Notwithstanding that situation, the Club is far from displeased with the Team's performances so far in a Division where the standard of play, not surprisingly, is markedly higher than that in Division One. It would be true to say, as the midpoint of the season approaches, Hooky now appears to be 'getting to grips' with life in the higher echelons of the Non League Pyramid. As such, they should be able to look forward with confidence to consolidating a position at the new level. In acknowledging this observation, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention Manager Dave 'Rizzy' Risato and his assistants who have worked so hard with the players, both during the season so far, and also before its commencement to attain the First Team's existing level of competence. A special mention should also be given to Louisa White who so ably stepped in at very short notice to help out the Team with its physio requirements, whilst also combining this role with the on-going demands of her studies at the Oxford Brookes University.
From the spectators' perspective, the higher level of football has been appreciated and enjoyed. The Club's ardent followers and many others in the Village, young and not so young, who take an active interest in the Team's progress are invariably intrigued by the prominence it now receives in the newspapers and on regional television – can't be bad for the Village as a tourist attraction, eh? It is a pity, however, that these spectators are having to travel to Banbury for their entertainment, whilst those who are unable to, for whatever reason, are presently missing out in this respect. As we all know, the 'out of village' home venue has been forced upon the Club to allow the First Team to compete at the new level where the league demands the availability of certain facilities which presently don't exist at Hooky. Without dwelling on the subject, it is perhaps sufficient to say that the Club and many others in the Village remain hopeful that the situation will be redressed in the not too distant future, to bring the First Team back where it belongs and enhance the facilities and revenue of Hooky's very active Sports & Social Club.
It is most pleasing for me to report that, at the time of writing, the Club's Second Team sits proudly at the top of Division Two (West) of the League's Reserve Section.
Much credit for this marvellous achievement so far should go, not only to all the players who have turned out for the Team, but also to Manager, Adrian White and his assistants. We should be reminded that the existence and support of a Second Team is vital to the well-being of its First Team and the Club is most fortunate to have a Second Team Manager and his Team who, together, are performing so successfully.
Geoff 'Jesse' James