Badgers fan Reg Dab will be giving his views on the news from Cannon Park, as United attempt to clinch promotion from the UniBond Premier Division.

Read on for week one of Reg's rantings...


Hi!

If you're reading this it means that the quality standards at HQ are dropping, so let me apologise for that from the off.

A couple of weeks ago I complained to the Guardian about the standard of their coverage of Retford United, as I thought the efforts of all concerned demanded a higher profile than a couple of column inches on the back of a local paper.

And they came back to me with a challenge to write something myself. So if you are looking for anyone to blame for this, look no further than the Retford Trader and Guardian.

The season is well under way, and, at the time of writing, the team sits on the verge of making history.

The FA Cup run has already proven to be the greatest in the club's history, and come 5pm on Saturday, they have every chance of being in the hat for the draw for the First Round proper.

An incredible achievement for any club of Retford's size. Even more so when you consider the problems the club have endured this calender year. So why not come down to Cannon Park this Saturday, and show your pride in your local side?

The only thing standing between Retford and a possible tie with Leeds or Scunthorpe or any other 'proper' club, is the small matter of Alfreton Town.

They are guaranteed to bring plenty of vocal fans to Cannon Park, as getting to the First Round would be a fairly impressive achievement for them too, and as a result I know that the players and management would love to hear the usual voices behind the goals boosted by some new faces.

But if singing and shouting isn't your thing, don't let that put you off. Cannon Park is a very welcoming place (albeit not that warm when the wind takes a fancy) and the success the team have brought home in recent times is worthy of more support.

Last season we were top scorers in the league, and this season we show no sign of things being any different.

Mick Godber is already top scorer in the league, and there is every liklihood that he, or one of his team-mates, will be able to walk away with the Top Scorer mantle. So goals are never in short supply.

Saturday also sees the launch of the Supporters Club for season 2008/09.

Application forms will be widely available on the day, but if you can't get down, they will be downloadable from the Supporters Club website at www.retfordfans.moonfruit.com.

If you can't to many games, this is one way of showing your support.

Last season the SC were able to provide funding for a new pitch surround, new goal nets, manpower to spruce up Cannon Park with painting and decorating, and perhaps most noticeably, we secured in excess of 800 signatures on a petition for a Footpath Along Leverton Road.

All of which was only possible through the hard work and dedication of committee members and volunteers, not to mention the funding offered by the members themeselves.

I know it is hugely appreciated by the club, and I also know that those of us who run the Supporters Club are always looking to the good people of Retford to back the club in more ways than simply turning up on a Saturday.

So come along this weekend. Join the Supporters Club if you want. We would dearly love you to.

But more importantly, show your support for Peter Duffield, his staff and of course, his players, who performed so heroically last season, and who are standing on the brink of history this season.

You could be a part of it. You could go a long way towards helping it happen. And you can't say that about watching Jeff Stelling, can you?