As the curtains fall on another football calendar, we take the time to reflect on an eventful 2023-24 season at Settle United.
The 1st team have shown routine competitiveness at the right end of a challenging East Lancashire Premier Division for the second consecutive season, reaching as high as 2nd position after Christmas before finishing a respectable 7th. Cup competitions were of short duration this time around, narrowly defeated by eventual league champions Langho FC on penalties and by local rivals Rolls in Presidents and Craven FA challenge competitions respectively.
The Reserves have battled hard in the Craven & District Division Two league, and although they have found themselves at the lower end of the table, the platform has been rewarding in the sense of providing a stable but competitive playing structure for our newest bundle of flourishing younger players making their step from youth football.
United’s home ground Bridgend has been soaked in accolades and compliments from groundhoppers and football clubs far and wide, thanks to the continued tireless work of ground staff and committee to maintain its surface. The associated expenditure overheads have been well-supported by available association grants from the football foundation and FA. The hard work and effort being complimented by hosting two out of three Craven FA district cup finals.
Off field, the Settle United Committee targets were to progress the venture of a new state of the art clubhouse build, whilst ensuring the ongoing stability and structure of the club was maintained through effort shown behind the scenes organising fundraising and charity events.
The unprecedented support of long term and new sponsorship has with no doubt, allowed the club to operate successfully over the course of the season.
The new clubhouse project has taken significant steps forward. Planning permission has been granted, plans and footprint are of firm status, and the process for obtaining funding has commenced.
With the overall endeavour being to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the future, bridging the pathway between youth and senior sections, and ensuring the longevity, success and development of Settle United Football Club, the next phase of the venture is a critical one.
The process will be long and time-consuming for the committee, and now more than ever, comes the request for additional assistance from current and new members, both playing and non-playing, to help collectively move the club forwards whilst maintaining our playing status.
