Hendon are enjoying a remarkable season and, after years of hard work, loyalty and commitment from manager Gary McCann, his coaching staff and players on the pitch and that of the Directors, Supporters Trust and Supporters Association off the pitch, all the hard work is finally starting to pay off.

The team that Gary has built and held together over recent years has matured into a side that is more than holding its own and currently sits proudly in the top three of the Ryman League Premier Division. This squad refuses to give up or be beaten, is full of character and spirit and is a squad who have targeted promotion into the Conference South as their goal.

Putting such a talented squad together and keeping them together has been and continues to be difficult but there is a very strong belief around the club and further afield that this could be our year.

Our remarkable start to the season has put us up among the title favourites but, with only around one third of League games having been played and with winter and the inevitable fixture pile-up just around the corner, we are well aware that there is still a long way to go to achieve our aim.

Allied to progress on the pitch, the club's new home at Silver Jubliee Park is starting to take shape, the new state of the art 3G pitch is down, has received FIFA accreditation and is already being used. Plans are being drawn up to ensure that the ground meets the required ground grading criteria.

After many years of uncertainty, the mood at Hendon is very positive and the club are now set to launch a fund raising campaign, not only to help maintain, but also to strengthen and build for the future both in the immediate and long term.

As a result, we really need you, the supporters and owners of Hendon Football Club, to be the 12th man again.

A sustainable playing budget was agreed before the start of the season, designed to allow Gary to put together a competitive squad. As you can see, Gary has more than delivered that competitive squad.

Progression in the FA Cup and FA Trophy would have enabled us to release further funds to allow Gary to strengthen the squad further.

Although the FA Cup run brought in some much-needed funds, the defeat at Dorchester means that further funds are required urgently if we are to allow Gary the best possible chance of achieving promotion.

Here's where you come in.

The Board believes, and we're sure you do too, that Gary and his playing and coaching squad deserve our full support and commitment.

We're a fans-owned club and there is only so much that the Board can do. The Board continues to explore ways to bring money into the club but much of what we are currently doing is geared around Silver Jubilee Park and the club's longer-term future.

That future will look a whole lot brighter if we move into Silver Jubilee Park as a Conference South club with rising gates and a thriving Youth set-up.

If you can help in any way, whether it be a lump sum or a monthly donation, please do so. The money that you, the supporters and owners of our great club, donate could make the difference between promotion glory and being also-rans.

You can pledge money towards the promotion push by writing to Simon Lawrence at simon.hendon@btinternet.com. Alternatively, come and see him or Rob Morris at any game.

Please do what you can.

Thanks to you all for your continued support of Hendon Football Club.