May is when the season begins in earnest.

After a few weeks of build up, nets and preparation, everything shifts into matches. The first fixtures come round, and the club settles into its weekly rhythm again.

That sense of it approaching has already been there. A recent note from the club simply said the season was a couple of weeks away, along with a thank you to those supporting it behind the scenes. It was understated, but it says a lot about what goes into getting things ready.

Through the week, the club continues to tick over in its own way. Joker Friday has become a regular fixture, an easy reason to come down, have a drink and take part in the weekly draw, with raffles and small bits of fundraising alongside it.

There is also a sense of things building. The women’s team moves into its second season following a strong first year, with new players encouraged to get involved. At the same time, there is a steady push for local sponsorship, reinforcing how closely the club sits within the wider community.

The bank holidays bring a bit more time for people to gather, but most of the season is shaped by the smaller, regular moments in between. A Saturday game. An evening at the club. A quick stop that turns into staying longer.

By May, the setting does a lot of the work. The ground is ready, the colours have come back, and being outside feels like the right place to be.

And that is what makes the start of the season feel like something worth being part of.