JUST like most other facets of industry, we at Luctonians have faced some unique challenges, never previously envisaged, during these past months.

However, it is through these challenges that you discover a lot about the strength of your club and on behalf of the committee we must say a huge thank you to our members and sponsors at Lucs who have resoundingly got behind the club when it has been most needed.

The time, effort and commitment expelled by our volunteers has been exceptional and means the club has been in position to steadily re-open in line with the relieving of restrictions as and when they have come about.

During lockdown the club tried to live up to its reputation as a community hub in many ways, by providing support where we could for local businesses, free membership for NHS frontline workers, our phone a friend scheme where we made sure the older fraternity of those involved at the club had someone to talk to, various online interactive services from exercise classes for our youngsters, to murder mysteries.

Our charity committee were once again at the heart of these efforts after last season raising a further £16,729 for local charities, another big thank you to them.

Since re-opening has begun, the club put on a free outdoor cinema event where we safely opened our gates to the community to enjoy three different films across the day.

On the pitch, our rugby players have gradually built up their training schedules as allowed.

We had over 70 senior players training in separate groups of five on different nights through July and August, with our junior development programme (13-18 year olds) now about to restart, since the most recent advancement in stages allowed by the RFU. Whilst, still in the dark about when competitive grassroots rugby will recommence, our players and coaches will be ready whenever the time comes.

We look forward to seeing our 1st XV back in National League action as soon as is safely possible and want people to know Mortimer Park is definitely once again open for business.

Alex Smith, Luctonians Director of Operations