Skipper David Rainford has used his Christmas Message to request that City’s supporters continue to roar the Clarets to success as the club head into 2012, starting with a huge home game against neighbours Thurrock in the Blue Square Bet South on Boxing Day, kick-off 3:00pm.

The Captain, who hopes to be in prime personal condition to meet the basement club after a sporadic recent appearance record due to injury, wants the positive vocal backing from the terraces to continue and he believes it will prove vital if Chelmsford are to claw back the lead Woking have built at the top. He appreciated how the fans have been getting behind the team and revealed how he’ll be preparing on Christmas Day.

“Our supporters shouldn’t underestimate the effect they can have on the team,” David explained. “Some fans are an opinionated bunch who want more, which is fair enough. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a lot of fans since I’ve been here and we regularly get four-figure crowds at home. There’s nothing better than hearing the cheer of the supporters and we’ll achieve a lot with that spirit in numbers.”

“It’s a big, family Christmas Day for me, with mine and the wife’s combined! Sarah has a bigger family than me and one of her sisters is a regular visitor to Melbourne with my dad. The highlight of my day is the meal, but for the youngsters it’s opening the presents! It starts with a jog around the park as I have a game the next day! In the dressing room we hope everyone who supports the club has a great festive break.”

Boss Glenn Pennyfather hopes to have an almost fully fit squad to select from against the Fleet, with some recent rest benefiting those in the treatment room. He said: “Several of the individuals who’ve missed out recently are very close to playing as we’ve started to have proper gaps between the games now. We need everyone fit and flying and I think they’ll mostly be available for the Thurrock game.”

Chelmsford also take on Thurrock away at 1:00pm on New Year, Day, and he added: “It’s a double header against a derby side who achieved a great result against Woking recently. They will want to turn us over, and rightly so, and it will be really, really tough. I keep saying it, but there are no easy games. We’ll look at the reports that our scouts have given us and will make decisions based on that.”

Thurrock: Address: Ship Lane, Grays, Essex, RM19 1YN. Phone: (01708) 865492. Position Last Season: 20th in the Blue Square Bet South. Miles from Chelmsford: 23. Approx. Journey Time: 30 minutes. Nickname: The Fleet. Team Colours: Yellow & Green. Ground Capacity: 4,500 (1,000 Covered Terracing). Seats: 300. Official Website: www.thurrock-fc.com.

Weather Forecast: Grey Cloud. 11 degrees Celsius. Wind 16 mph.

Blue Square Bet Odds: Chelmsford City 4/11, Draw 7/2, Thurrock 11/2. Do you fancy a flutter? Then visit www.bluesq.com/fans where you can register to earn money for the Clarets when you open a brand new Blue Square account.

Follow the Clarets on Twitter! Stay up-to-date with all the latest Clarets news, results, offers and information through the brand new official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/OfficialClarets or search for, and follow, ‘OfficialClarets’. This new service provides half time and full time scores and we’re currently looking for someone to kindly volunteer to provide in-match and goal updates. Can you help? Call Chris on (07799) 030669 for details.

Build-Up to Kick-Off in Style! Three-course meals can be booked before every home game, with a two-course service and soft drink provided in place of a starter for midweek matches. The package includes express gate entry, access to the Don Walker Suite bar, reserved Main Stand seats, half time refreshments, a programme and the chance to meet the players after the game. The price is £35 per person, with a discount for 10 or more guests. Drinks at the bar are not included. To book, contact Bev on (01245) 290959.

Supporters Club Man of the Match: For home games, all City supporters can vote for their Man of the Match. The winner will be announced in the Don Walker Lounge where Supporters Club members are invited to congratulate the winner after the game. To register your vote, simply text the name of your chosen player, to (07570) 244929 near the end of the game (or up to 5:30pm on Saturdays), when the winner is announced.