Hello, valued supporters of Gongchan United Football Club!

Although I have been manager of Gongchan United for only a few years, people often approach me when I least expect it, saying "Mr Hu, how do you feel to be part of the club's marvellous history?" My reply is always the same - I couldn't be happier than to be in charge of the team that has been riding high at the forefront of Chinese football for so many years. However, we are always sportsmanlike, so it was with some sadness that I read of the recent troubles of Mr Ma in Taiwan, manager of the Guomin Blues - the last team to beat us to the league title - who has encountered some trouble over using his expense accounts to order vast amounts of takeaway chicken. Our sympathies are with our former opponents - and we wish them the best in their continuing efforts to beat the Taibei Greens in the Chinese Taipei Conference!

We had a good showing at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Shield tournament. We're not sure who won, though. Possibly Canada. Some great news to come out of the APEC Shield is from a meeting I had with the Tokyo Imperials manager, "Honest" Abe. We're planning a friendly in Japan some time next spring - a clear sign that Abe is a much better man than "Silver Fox" Koizumi, Tokyo's previous manager. Many people expected Abe to continue his predecessor's match tactics and public policies, but I say that he has changed the playbook so much that it's hard to spot the differences!

We're also looking forward to another Six Nations Five-a-side tournament, with the help of Abe, Coach Bush of the Lone Star Hawks, and that guy from South Korea whose name no one can remember. We'll keep you posted.

I also met up with Mr Tsang, who is in charge of the Gongchan Special Youth Team (formerly St Cuthbert's Football Club for Wealthy Young Gentlemen) - I encouraged him to keep doing everything I tell him, and even managed to shift two pandas that we'd been keeping in the ladies' changing rooms at the ground. Mr Tsang will be taking care of them in his shed from now on.

Speaking of the grounds, the groundskeeper Mr Pan has asked me to repeat his request that players and fans refrain from pouring things into the drainage ditches at the side of pitch, such as soft drinks, heavy metals and plastic by-products. The condition of the pitch is heavily dependent on the ditches being in working order! Let's work together for a harmonious rest of the season!

Regards, JT Hu, manager