IT seems no time at all since we were celebrating the club's first ever Surrey Cup victory and feeling a strong sense of satisfaction at the first XV's top half of the table finish in National League Three, writes Dorking chairman Shaun Grady.

There were many other achievements from the ExAs, U21s and U18s and both girls' age groups all bringing home silverware and a commendable stash of success collectively and individually across the junior and mini section.

Off the field our commercial and fundraising activities moved forward in leaps and bounds under commercial director Roger Parkin. 2009/10 will be a tough act to follow.

For the senior sides it is going to be a tough second season test in arguably a harder league than last time. Under Richie Andrews' guiding hand, confidence is, however high among the squad and coaching team, including Paul Hodgson and Barry Everett.

Two pre-season victories, including over Westcombe Park of National Two status, have underpinned the reason to believe that we can pick up from where we left off last term.

In the youth section Colin Troughton takes the chairman's helm from Kevin Beal, with Beal stepping up to club secretary. Peter Shakeshaft comes in as junior chairman, and Jamie Merret provides continuity as mini chairman.

The new youth management team have high hopes and ambitions to take the section forward within the famous One Club framework.

The coming season sees the launch in earnest of fundraising activities for the Clubhouse Redevelopment Project. We've made enormous progress incorporating the club, becoming a charity, securing planning permission and a new 50-year lease.

Now we have the small matter of raising in the region of £1.7 million to fund the project.

A key plank in the fundraising is the creation of a new category of Foundation Members of the club.

The monies raised through donations will be allocated exclusively to the redevelopment project. And we are now seeking those wishing to support the project by becoming Foundation Members from both existing club members and people or companies in the Dorking area.

Our aim is to have more than 250 Foundation Members, which will raise in the region of half a million pounds. Visit the club's website for more details.

Back to the rugby and the fun starts for real back at the Big Field with the visit on Saturday of Bracknell in the first home league fixture.

The game will be preceded by a members and guests lunch.

All are welcome and should contact Roger Spreckley on 07900 218915. Then on Sunday it is the launch of the mini season with registration of all the new players. It's good to be back.