Managers reflections!!

Hello everybody,

Hope that you are all well and have had a good week so far.

Blimey what an intense end to the 2015/16 season we had, and how well we did to finish in a very respectful 3rd position in the league table, as we did last year.

It was such a great way to end the season, away at Bickleighand to be able to have a drink in the beer garden afterwards in the sunshine just capped off a great morning.  

There are so many things to say and to reflect on.

Perhaps the best place to start is to acknowledge the big decision that Alfie has made in deciding to move on from Central City after many seasons of hard work and effort.  Alfie has been a key member of our team and has enjoyed scoring well over a hundred goals in the last 3-4 seasons. 

 I am sure that I speak on behalf of all the players and parents when we wish him all the best as he moves to Central United and (save for derby days!!) we hope that he keeps banging in goals from all over the pitch!

We will of course also be missing Jayne, Andrew and Jasmine from the touch line and in particular Andrews great match reports which I know so many of you enjoy reading.

Thanks also go to John Braddick once again for his dedication and commitment to the team, especially this year he has brought a tactical awareness to the team which I learn from all the time and without which we would be a very different team, thank you John.

Thanks also to everyone who has helped and shared in the team’s success over the season, to the parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents  who have run the touchline, set up goals, updated the blog, transported players miles and miles, cut up oranges and stood in the wet, cold and wind cheering our heroes on!  

I am determined that the 2016/17 will be OUR season and the season in which we can really push both in the league and in the cup competitions and try and break through into the top spots!

This leaves us currently then with a squad of 12.  The foundation for next season will be Noah, Josh, Cameron, Charlie, Ewan, Will P, Will A, Sam P, Dan, Tom D, Tom O, Dylan and Onur.  

I am sure you agree with me that we have been a bit thin on the ground for some games and with players having long term injuries such as Tom and Dylan we need to make sure that we have a bigger squad.  I am also keen that we can accommodate players doing other things and not need to make decisions about doing one activity or another.  

On that basis I think we need to sign another 3-4 players. 

 I am pleased to announce that we have already secured one player for next season Zac Hagger.  Many of you know Zacwho has played for Central before and has been with West Exe for a few years, but Zac will be joining us as a strong, versatile and positive attitude player.   Welcome Zac.

I am in early discussions with 1-2 other parents and players and hope to have more news in the next couple of weeks, but in the mean time if you know of anyone who you think will be suitable please let me know.

As I said at the end of the Twyford match next seasons training will be much more focused on tactics and positioning within matches, this we hope will include some guest appearances from Gillian and other specialist coaches.

Over the summer I have entered three tournaments, all 6 aside.  I am still awaiting final confirmation of places but just to give you the heads up they will be on:

11th June at Crediton; 18th June at Tiverton and 3rd July at Honiton.  

As before I am keen for everyone to have the opportunity to play in at least one of these so when I have confirmation I will text around for expressions of interest!

Pre-season training will start in mid August and will include a return of Marine Simon which I know was ‘enjoyed’ by all!!

Do we want to try and organise another day at the River Dart Country Park?? I am hapy to try and set this up but would welcome (via text) any thoughts.

Blimey I have rabbited on a bit, sorry but hope that you have found all of the information useful.

See you in the summer, and thank you all.

Mark