Note, If you have not received this via e-mail it is because Bob has had a systems failure and can not send them out at the moment.
Our penultimate game was disappointing to say the least with our first defeat for some time. There’s not too much point in dwelling on it. The reality was we didn’t play our usual way and we had too many players who didn’t give 100%, and I think that a pretty fair assessment. To be fair to the players though, they’ve played eight games this month and turned in some impressive performances - six wins from eight.
During the week we entertained Steve Johnson’s and Paul Tomsett’s East Grinstead and ran out winners in a pretty good performance. They’d probably think to score three goals away should win you a game but I did feel that we looked pretty good going forward.
On Monday night the reserves play away at St Francis in what will be their penultimate game. By everyone’s admission, its not been our greatest year with our up an coming reserves. We were unable to hold on to our Reserve Premier status but lets just look at the two major occurrences that has influenced their destiny. First, some of the reserve players from last year were moved upwards into the first team - Jo Tubon, Jayson Sowter, Simon Greatwich, Will Broomfield, Aaron Last and Sam Sowter for example were all with the reserves last term. Take them out of any side then get promotion too and you’ve got to find players of similar ability to hold your own.
To be fair to Geoff, and Neil before him to be honest, they had little or no preparation as they were just given what they had to work with. If that sounds a bit unfair to players then I’d have to say that the league position doesn’t lie. (Unless you’ve had 10 points deducted of course). The second major issue was me stopping the Under 18s. That effectively stopped access to younger players to support the senior campaign. Just on that point - I stopped the under 18s because I was actually struggling with a side. What I did learn from that is that the first year U18s will support you and come through. Second year 18s will not be so reliable as they get jobs, birds and go out on a Saturday night. When I’ve had second year 18s playing, its because they want to play and you know they’ll be there. Kev Allen, I’m sure, will get our youth programme right.
So we move on to the final game for the first eleven and we travel to Arundel for the game that got postponed. Arundel drew at the weekend so this game will just be about final positions. After the game - which don’t forget is 2pm ko - we go back to the club for the early evening presentations. The reserves are away too so we’ll all be meeting back at the club, 6-8pm. Ringmer FC Ltd (in Administration still) will be putting money behind the bar and supplying food.
I haven’t really had a chance to speak to all of the players in the first team squad about next year but the ones I have spoken to tell me that they’ll be with us next term. I have spoken to three players we intend to sign but I think it likely we will possibly lose a couple of players who go to American colleges or to Lewes but I’d like to think that the majority will stay at Ringmer FC and help us in our campaign to become Sussex champions and no less.
Have a safe and enjoyable week.
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