The club was saddened to learn of the passing of one its former goalkeepers, Dai Mason, at the weekend. Mason was a popular figure who kept goal for the Hornets from the late 1960s through to the mid 1970s and maintained an interest in his old side even up to this season when he was a visitor to Gorings Mead for the league match with Sutton United, back in August. A stunned Frank King recalled his early career with great affection. "I remember giving Dai a lift to his first game for us. It was at Woking, I think, in a floodlit game and he had a fantastic game and won us the match. He gave us some good service and played some great games for us. I took him to many, many games and viewed him as a good friend. It's terribly sad news." Mason had been suffering from throat cancer and lost his battle for life on Sunday evening and our condolences go to his friends and family at this sad time. A more detailed tribute to Dai Mason's career will feature in the match programme for Saturday's visit of Billericay Town.

We were also sorry to learn of the recent death of Leslie Hale, who held the position of club chairman during the 1960s and was in the chair at the time of our FA Cup 1st round meeting with Swindon Town, a tie that attracted a record 8,000 crowd to Queen Street. Again, we extend our sympathies to Leslie's family and friends.