Newhaven FC are now three weeks in to their pre-season programme and joint managers Andy Cook and Sean Breach have expressed their delight at how training and matches have been going so far.
Cook stepped up to the first team after guiding the reserves to promotion during the 2013/14 season, and he said: “After a very short summer break we are back into full swing in pre-season and the attendance has been great.
“Sean and I have been really pleased with the numbers of players and the quality we have seen. The lads have worked really hard and responded to the sessions put on. We’ve regularly had over 45 players per session.
“Thanks to Kieran Ridley, Blocky (Paul Whitmore), Jason Tighe, Brian Henderson and Joe McTiffen for their support at training as it has really helped when splitting the sessions up into smaller groups.”
Due to the pitch at Fort Road being unavailable training sessions have had to take place the other side of the river at Eastside Rec. But the friendlies are starting to come thick and fast now and the Dockers have some tough tests ahead.
Cook continued: “We are now entering the next phase of pre-season as the programme of friendlies kick in for all three teams (First team, Reserves and Under 18s). Hopefully fitness levels will continue to improve and some decent performances are put together. We will be keeping a watchful eye on everyone!”
The two managers have also been pleased with the signings made during the off-season as they look to build on a solid, if not spectacular, first season back in the top division of the Sussex County Football League.
Breach guided the team to safety last season, taking over with the help of Cook at the tail end of a run of nine straight defeats. He added: “We have been extremely pleased by the early signings we’ve secured for the season so far.
“From last season’s squad we’ve secured signatures from joint player’s player winners Jake Buss and Lee Robinson, player of the year and young centre-half Conor Sidwell and influential striker Craig Bunch. Youngsters Chris Geer, Martin Stephen, Josh Burns, Connor Jones, Lewis Hallett and Callum Connor, who all impressed towards the end of last season, have also put pen to paper.
“We have also re-signed the local and popular Daniel Murray, Jason Goddard, Jayson Sowter and Scott Edwards, who all left for Saltdean when the previous managers came in. Ebou Jallow, who also fits this category, has returned from a brief spell at Shoreham.
“James Rhodes has re-signed after a spell with us last season, but who again left midway through the season. Rhodesy will be taking on a player-coach role at the club and his experience will be vital for our young squad.”
Cook also added: “As we all know at this time of year players tend to go here, there and everywhere but we have been really, really pleased with the loyalty we have seen from players, new and old. So it’s great not only to see the majority of players who finished playing for the club last season back and signed on, but also some familiar faces returning.”
The managers were also delighted to name a few new signings who have all put pen to paper for the upcoming season. They include:
Brad Murray, a midfielder who’s former clubs include Peacehaven, Worthing, Burgess Hill & Staines.
Mike Lloyd, formerly of Fulham Acadamy, Croydon Athletic, Eastbourne Borough and more recently Seaford & Hailsham.
And Scott Marshall, a former Crystal Palace, Crawley & Peacehaven midfielder.
Breach continued: “Most of last year’s promotion winning reserve team have also put pen to paper, as well as a few up and coming youngsters from Keiran Ridley’s under-18 side, some who have already impressed in an in-house friendly.
“We are hoping for a few more to sign in the next week but we are not far off from what we initially wanted. The off-season and pre-season is the worst part for managers, however, I am delighted with the signings made so far and Cooky and I are really looking forward to the season ahead.”
On the friendlies played so far Breach said: “We’ve had a couple of run-outs already, on Seaford’s 3G pitch. An in-house friendly where 32 players were used for 60 minutes each, and a 1-0 win over Bexhill with Brad Murray scoring the only goal in the first half. We changed all 10 outfield players at half-time and we were really pleased with all 21 players.
“Next up are a run of five straight friendlies for the players to gain as much match fitness as possible, starting with Horsham today at Fort Road, 2pm kick off, before Horley Town and Three Bridges visit during the week. Then the club take two teams to Mole Valley for a double header next Saturday.”
Breach and Cook have also selected their captain and vice-captain for the season. “Sean and I would also like to announce that Craig Bunch will be first team skipper this season and vice-captain will be Dan Murray” Cook said.
We will get more from the managers, and from Bunch himself, on that decision over the next few weeks as the season draws nearer.
The league fixtures for the season are also due out next week so keep an eye on the website for details on who the Dockers will be facing in the season opener on August 9th.
Great to see the old “mainstay” of the “club” are back and raring to go.Get behind Breachy and lets start the season well, that goes for the other teams as well!!!!