The sicking feeling at the final whistle at Thetford last season is still fresh in my memory like it was yesterday, I will use this to drive myself and the squad forward to try and win promotion at the first time of asking, this is the target for both myself and the players and if we do it by winning the league then it will be a huge bonus, we will not be taking anything for granted nor for it to be easy but we believe in ourselves.

The disappointments of losing good quality players like Ben Parkin, Marley Spindler and Peter Haxell to other clubs was soon a distant memory as they was replaced by experienced and seasoned players Ray Turner, Adam Hampson, Tom Austin & Karl Andrade and the arrival of other players with points to prove Owen Bryan and Joshua Milburn to name a few, but let’s not forget the most important factor of all was keeping hold of a huge majority of talent that we already have at the club.

During the summer I had to act quickly once Kevin Brown advised me that due to work commitments he may find it difficult to commit but It was important to us that we kept his involvement in the team and he will be here as often as he can, this lead me to act quickly and once I heard Ray Turner was available for me if was a priority to get him on board, not just as a player but as a number two his influence and experience both on and on the pitch is so valuable to both myself and the players and a new voice and fresh ideas will help develop and push us all.

Ian Smith will continue to work with our goalkeepers and to maintain a reserve management of Jason Savage, Bernie Frost and Adam Frost is great to add continuity which has been lacking for so many years.

In pre-season we have already witnessed the new players beginning to gel together with the old and the attitude and mentality of everyone is the same both on and off the pitch, we are all in this together and have same aim and ambition to reach our target.

Thank you to everyone that has helped over the summer break off the pitch to maintain and improve our facility and a huge thank you to all of our sponsors for your continued support.

There is only one aim. that is to WIN promotion and together we will achieve.

I hope you enjoy the season and are ready for the roller coaster ride.

Thanks MO

A summary is included below of departures and signings

Players out
Ben Parkin (FC Clacton)
Marley Spindler (Hadleigh United)
Peter Haxell (Witham Town)
Peter Maina
Charlie Goodlake
Michael Schofield (Stanway Rovers)

Players in
Ray Turner (Stanway Rovers)
Adam Hampson (Stnaway Rovers)
Liam Daniels (FC Clacton)
Tom Austin (FC Clacton)
Karl Andrade (Whitton United)
Owen Bryan (Tollesbury)
Joshua Milburn (Tollesbury)
Joshua Sidki (Stanway Rovers)
Markel Greendige