Last Season saw us experience the lowest point in our history, when we were relegated from Division 1. The feeling throughout the club was very different to when we had won promotion 2 years previously. There are many excuses for the poor run last season and they have all been used at some point to justify relegation, whether it be the run of bad injuries that cost us some influential players for most of the season, or the lack of commitment by players (who shall remain nameless), that saw us finish the season with less than 11 men for the first time in the clubs history.

The truth is that we could and should have been well clear of relegation, but have only ourselves to blame for conceding goals and dropping points in games we simply should not have done. Luke and I are also very aware that our pre-season training and indeed the preparation though out the season, was not of a high enough standard for a team playing in the top division. Of course we are bound by certain limitations, i.e. a good turn out at training!!

This season the aim is to get back to winning ways and the more professional approach we had when we won promotion three seasons ago. Training has been more organised than ever before and the club is definitely benefiting from the UEFA coaching badges Luke is working towards. We are on the lookout for a new home ground so that we can move away from the communal pitches at Prince Georges and although I have irons in the fire, I can’t guarantee anything in time for this season, but there could be some exciting times ahead if we hear positive news from the local councils.

One thing I think we all agreed last season is that we needed to add some quality players to the team and players with dedication and determination. Having posted several adds on the web, we have been fortunate enough to add half a dozen or so good players to the team. Not only have we widened our scouting network to include Australia alongside Europe and Japan, but we’ve also got players that want to train and want to put in 100% when doing so. Hopefully you regular team members will rise to the challenge that the new guys are undoubtedly going to make.

We expect attendance at training to be good, we expect attendance at match day to be prompt. Remember, with a squad the size we now have, teams are likely to be picked days in advance of the match, so if we find a player is late to the ground, he will simply be replaced in the line up. This may sound harsh, but the reality is that a professional attitude and build up to each game, will result in better results. There’s no doubt we have the squad to win instant promotion and I for one will be aiming for that!

I wish you all the best of luck for the forthcoming season!

Matt