IT hasn’t been the start to the season we all hoped for but, given the massive changes to the squad, it was always likely to take time for all our new friends to settle in.

It’s great to see Chris Lucketti back. He was one of our best captains on and off the pitch in recent years and a great pro.

The Patrons’ season is well under way with the first meeting in August already having taken place with Ronnie Jepson and Mick Docherty as guests.

The next few are already in the pipeline with September set aside for new players, October for the board and November for ex-players – Mark Lillis is already up for that one.

Keep your eyes on the website, the programme and the Examiner, of course, for news.

Two Patrons Travel trips are lined up, too.

The first one is Peterborough on Saturday October 25. A 9.15 start on our executive coach, a two-course carvery lunch at a lovely pub and possible guests/speakers, transfer to the ground for the match and a nice relaxed journey home basking in the glory of a great victory. Well that’s the plan! And all for only £22!

The Patrons committee, meanwhile, wish the Supporters Association every success and recommend fans join up.

If you are wondering why the Patrons Association isn’t a part of it then you are one of the large number who don’t know that the Patrons is a club-owned organisation.

Although the committee is made up of volunteers, all subscriptions go directly to the Development Association and therefore help fund Town’s award-winning academy.

This close link doesn’t mean that members can’t speak their minds. In fact just the opposite. The £21,000 that members contribute gives us a voice and the monthly meetings are just one obvious way of getting the messages across.

So, if you want to get a bit more knowledge about things at our club or just want to be entertained, come to a monthly meeting.

Normally they are on the first Thursday of the month but at the request of our manager, the next meeting will be next Wednesday to allow more time for the players who will travel to Cheltenham on the Saturday.

Ask a question or just listen to the answers. It’s a good social evening for all Town fans, no dress code and no age limits. Come to the next one and see what it’s all about.

Remember, stick it in your diary – new players are coming to the Patrons meeting next Wednesday, September 3 (8.00), in the Panasonic Suite in the Fantastic Media Stand

The club are always interested to hear supporters’ views so please come along to a meeting and chat with a committee member, write to the committee care of the club or use the e-mail address info@htafcpatrons.com.