THURROCK RFC men's first team return to Essex Counties One action on Saturday (8 November), but the match against Epping Upper Clapton will be played behind 'closed doors', with no spectators, as Thurrock have been reprimanded by the RFU for disciplinary issues.

Club president Mike Dunk has highlighted the issue in his latest update to club members, saying: "After too many disciplinary cards last season throughout the Club, the men's first team has a potential points deduction for further discretions this season.

"In addition, we have been told we must play a league fixture with no Thurrock supporters in attendance.

"This Saturday, the match will be 'behind closed doors'.

Mr Dunk, who took over the club presidency this past summer has had to walk a tightrope of difficult issues involving financial and administrative concerns within the administration of the club - and its relationship with the South West Essex Community Education Trust.

Thurrock Nub News has highlighted a number of issues previously involving potential planning and licencing breaches which have involved the new function facility, Bar 1928 and also conversion of 'temporary' buildings at Oakfield which are now being used as a commercial nursery.

There was a lot of acrimony at the club's annual meeting, with many longstanding members complaining that long-established principles of the club had been overturned.

Earlier this year one member took to social media to say: "The members have been mislead and have never been told all what went on. now the trustees have given the use of the building to two club members who want to run it as a separate identity. When you ask the Trustees why they did this, you cannot get a true answer."

The relationship with the South West Essex Community Education Trust has also been questioned.

In his latest narrative to club members marking his first hundred days in post, Mr Dunk says: "Following on from my previous update I find the "First 100 days" slipping by very quickly. So since my last notes what have we been able to achieve?

"The main achievement is finding a new Treasurer for the CIO and the Trading Company. David Staff will be known to many of you, particularly as he has two sons who have been through the youth system at the Club.

"David brings huge experience as his role as Director & Principal Systems Analyst at a global services organisation will be a great help in the potential transition onto a more modern IT platform and with it the implementation of some new controls into the Club's financial systems.

"Another great addition to the team is the appointment of Ben Stanley as a Director of the Trading Company. Ben has vast experience both rugby wise and professionally and his role in the hospitality world means he can support Jane in the main bar and the growth of Bar 1928 as it becomes a significant contributor to the health of the Club.

"Still under discussion is the requirement for new leases for the three building structures on the Club's land. In mid-October we, (representatives from the trustees and General Committee), met with the South West Essex Community Education Trust. Following this meeting the Trust are looking to prepare separate lease documents for us to review to resolve the concerns we raised. We aim to sit all parties together with the legal people in the next few weeks and thrash out any final issues before returning to the members.

"In the meantime the Trust has continued to support the club with delivery of the training lights on two Club pitches greatly improving the ability to have multiple teams training at the same time."

Related stories include:

Latest planning wrangle at TRFC: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/third-building-at-sports-site-is-under-scrutiny-272646

Police support bar bid - with conditions: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/police-support-rugby-club-bar-bid-with-conditions-257613

Suite plan under debate: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/committee-will-debate-licence-application-for-rugby-clubs-bar-and-function-suite-plan-in-building-erected-with-ps3-million-grant-from-council-to-alleviate-education-crisis-256585

Bid to make temporary building permanent: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/application-submitted-to-make-temporary-green-belt-building-permanent-is-submitted-252154

Approval for nursery plans: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/a-gray-matter-council-gives-approval-to-retention-of-interim-green-belt-building-that-should-have-been-removed-262783