Vice-president Holley, Dr Baruah, Mr Dennis Strudwick, President Brackstone, Secretary Hobbins, Chairman Websdale, fellow Wings fans: We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom - symbolising an end, as well as a beginning - signifying renewal, as well as change.

The football world is very different now. For the taxman holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of football poverty and all forms of football life.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Wings fans - born in this century, tempered by defeat, disciplined by hard and bitter draws, proud of our heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those football rights to which this club has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and away. Let every club know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge - and more. To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do - for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those people in the stands and terraces of half the league struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required - not because the Darts may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

And let every other power know that this club intends to remain the master of its own house.So let us begin anew - remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us. Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other clubs under the absolute control of all clubs. Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors.

Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate defeat, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce. Let both sides unite to heed, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah - to "undo the heavy debts, and let the creditors go free." And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour - not a new balance of power, but a new world of law - where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow supporters, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this club was founded, each generation of Wings fans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young players who answered the call to service surround the country. Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation", a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, north and south, east and west, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the sport, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it.

I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Wings fans, ask not what your club can do for you; ask what you can do for your club. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what Welling will do for you, but what, together, we can do for the survival of Welling.

Finally, whether you are supporters of Welling or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the club we love...

John Fitzgerald Kennedy died in 1963, the same year Welling United was born. He was 46, Welling United is 47; whether it makes it to 48 is up to you, each and every individual one of you.