With the new season fast approaching and pre-season nearing an end, we are now beginning to look at our ambitions and plans for the new season.
Training has been successful this pre-season with extremely good numbers for the majority of the sessions (although we had the odd one where it felt like half the club was on holiday!). As joint manager of the first team I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing seeing a number of faces at training that I don’t recognise, but I guess it has to be a good thing – it shows how far the club has come from the Bury League days!
Regarding friendlies, the performances have been there for both sides and there are plenty of positives. The reserve side look to be very strong, playing some good football in the process. The first team have had large squads and rotated the players throughout the games, with the results being a mixed bag, but individual performances strong. With the new season only a few weeks away, the use of rolling subs and rotation is likely to be ditched with the focus less on fitness but more on team shape and finding the right solution to win games.
With my focus, along with Banny’s, primarily on the first team, we have both been impressed with the strength of the squad at Barham. Both firsts and reserves have several very good players and the opportunities are there for all to push for first team football.
However, despite the strength of our squad, we are fully aware of the challenge division 1 football brings with it. Prior to last season, Banny had only ever managed at this level or higher and his experience will be vital for the first team this season. Without naming clubs, or making predictions, this is our debut season in a very tough league and our aim is to enjoy the competitive standard of weekly football, and see where we end up. It’s great to not have any pressure and also a relief. For the last few years we have rightly been tagged as the team to beat, but we all know that is not the case this season.
On the player front, the reserves have added a number of players, and retained all of last season’s players. I’m pretty sure Steve won’t mind me saying they will be going for the title this season in Intermediate C.
The first team retained all their squad from last season, and have also added one or two. Luke Webster has signed, along with Jon Henery who has returned after a long period out injured. Both players are very talented and could prove to be great additions to the side.
So the focus is now on the final preparations for the opening day of the season on the 2nd September. The first team host Stanton FC, whilst the reserves travel over to Ufford Sports Reserves.
Hopefully we have another enjoyable and successful season.
