Bungay Town FC can look forward to the most exciting period in its history in the next few years, chairman Jon Fuller told the annual meeting on Tuesday.

“If we can remain solvent and financially secure over the next five years then we could exit this recession with some of the very best facilities of any football club in the area,” he told those at the meeting at the Maltings Pavilion.

“With a thriving Maltings Pavilion generating money for sport rather than draining our resources, and with every local child having the opportunity to play a range of sport in his or her local community, the potential is strong. I believe this is an opportunity worth pushing for and one which collectively we can achieve.

“The buzz words are save waste, reduce cost and add value, and we need to apply those principles to Bungay town FC and drive it forward, rather than accept mediocrity.”

On the pitch, he said the Veterans team won the Norfolk and Suffolk Veterans League, the ladies team came second in their division and will now join the Eastern Region League Division One North, and the A team were at one pointing challenging for promotion and eventually finished sixth in the Lowestoft League Division Two.

The Reserves had a good mid-table finish in the Anglian Combination Division Four and the Sunday teams enjoyed their football. He said the only blip on the landscape was the first team’s relegation back to junior football.”

Fuller quoted World Cup winning football coach Filipe Scolari, who said, “My priority is to ensure that players feel more amateur than professional. Thirty years ago the effort was the other way. Now there is so much professionalism, we have to revert to urging players to like the game, love it, do it with joy.”

He urged Bungay teams to follow that advice.

First team manager Kevin Gook said the first team would put last season behind it and look to the future. Four pre-season friendlies had already been arranged and he looked forward to a better season. Many of the squad had said they would sign on again and he was talking to other people at the moment with a view to bringing new players in.

Training for the new season will now start on Tuesday, June 28, at 7pm — not June 21 as previously announced.

Ladies’ manager Graham Purling said the side would play in a division next season alongside such teams as Norwich City, Peterborough and Huntingdon Town and would start training for the challenge on June 29. Any existing players or any wanting to join the squad would be welcome to go along, or call him on 01508 522740.

Treasurer Roy Pointer said financially the club was in a good position.

Jon Fuller was re-elected chairman, Tony Sprake vice-chairman, Mick Simpson secretary and Roy Pointer treasurer.