After months of hard work trying to get the club ready to reopen in September and after several setbacks, we thought that we had at last turned the corner. Our new playing surface and underlay turned up in dribs and drabs a couple of weeks ago and Greengage started to lay the new surface last week. Up came the old carpet. We had already spotted and replaced some rotten and shattered ditch boards. The under-floor was examined and found to be in good shape so all systems go? Greengauge started to lay the new surface. Oh dear, just a slight problem, the underlay and carpet were 1.5 metres short. Bob rushed himself off to Goodmayes hospital suffering from apoplexy and panic attacks. The fitters disappeared to their van in sheer panic and for fear of lynching and anyone left at the club stood there scratching their heads in sheer disbelief.