The non league season fast approaching and Football in Bracknell has been in contact with all the local Step 6 clubs to see how preparations are going and to ask them what we can expect to see from them this year.
In the second part of our preview, Rob Davies has been talking to the clubs in the Hellenic League Division One East, namely AFC Aldermaston, Holyport, Wallingford Town, Wokingham & Emmbrook and Woodley United.
Part one coverning Eversley & California and Sandhurst Town in the Combined Counties League is here.
AFC Aldermaston
Questions answered by first team manager Kieran Jennings.
Ground
Aldermaston Recreational Society, Aldermaston, Reading RG7 8UA
Last Season
11th/13 in Hellenic League Division 1 East
Ambition/Target for the season
After a disappointing season last year our aim for this season is to ensure we finish in the top 6 this season
New signings/Player to watch
We have bought in a lot of new faces this season as we recognised that last season we weren’t good enough and that we needed freshening up. A few of the new faces have done well so far in preseason but we can only really judge them once they league season starts
Team you are looking forward to playing the most
I think the league will be exceptionally competitive this season so looking forward to every game. We have had a bit of a rivalry with Woodley over recent years, so it will be nice to match up against them again this year.
Who will win the league/be your main competition
I think Burnham must be early favourites with the infrastructure they have and the quality of player they have signed. Abingdon Town are coming in to the league looking to make an impression and I’m sure Penn & Tyler’s will be there or thereabouts again. There have been a lot of management changes this year, along with a very competitive market for players, so it could be a few weeks until we see who the main contenders are.
Holyport
Questions answered by first team manager Derek Sweetman
Ground
Summerleaze Village, Summerleaze Rd, Maidenhead SL6 8SP
Last Season
5th/13 in Hellenic League Division 1 East
Ambition/Target for the season
To finish higher than last season if possible. And have a good run in some of the cups we are in.
New signings/Player to watch
Dan Rapley, Jamie Wright, Warren Carter, so far with a few more to come. Player to watch, all of them of course.
Team you are looking forward to playing the most
For me that would be Burnham, Paul will have a very strong Squad and I’ve had ties with the club since the late 70’s.
Who will win the league/be your main competition
Could be Burnham/Abingdon and main competition will be all the other sides in the league.
Wallingford Town
Questions answered by club chairman Simon Cowlard
Manager
Glenn Goudie
Ground
Wallingford Sports Ground, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, OX10 9DG
Last Season
7th/13 in Hellenic League Division 1 East
Ambition/Target for the season
To improve on 7th from last season
New signings/Player to watch
No Comment…
Team you are looking forward to playing the most
Didcot Town Reserves. Everyone loves a local derby
Who will win the league/be your main competition
Abingdon Town
Wokingham & Emmbrook
Questions answered by first team manager Daniel Bateman
Ground
Larges Lane, Bracknell RG12 9AN (ground sharing with Bracknell Town)
Last Season
6th/13 in Hellenic League Division 1 East
Ambition/Target for the season
To be challenging at the top end of the league. This is the strongest that Div 1 East has been for a long time and I’m really looking forward to testing ourselves against the best the league has to offer and hopefully coming out on top.
New signings/Player to watch
Last year we used more than 40 players and the side at the end of the season was unrecognisable from the side at the start. I was very busy last season on the transfer front and the most important thing for us this pre season was maintaining the squad we finished the season with so all that building and planning was not in vain.
Thankfully we have managed to keep all of last year’s squad, added some quality in key areas and have some very talented 16/17 year-old lads who are all going to make an impact on H1E this year so we are in a very good position.
Team you are looking forward to playing the most
I always like visiting new grounds so am particularly looking forward to visiting Chalvey as they are groundsharing with Slough Town.
Who will win the league/be your main competition
Burnham and Abingdon Town would have to be the favourites for me with the signings they have made and the strength of their squads however that comes with its own pressures and I wouldn’t discount another 6/7 teams in the league either who will all feel they can challenge.
Like I said before I think this is the strongest the league has been for a long time and I really don’t see an easy game. Consistency is going to be the key for the team who ends up coming out on top. Whoever can get a settled side on the pitch week in week out without too many injuries, suspensions or availability issues.
Woodley United
Questions answered by Club Secretary Mark Rozzier
Manager
Jon Laugharne
Ground
Rivermoor, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 6AY (ground sharing with Reading City)
Last Season
19th/20 in Hellenic League Premier Division
Ambition/Target for the season
To finish as high as possible and have good cup runs. To see our new players develop together and forge a good team ethic.
New signings/Player to watch
Rather not say so the players come as a surprise.
Team you are looking forward to playing the most
Crawley Green in the FA Cup
Who will win the league/be your main competition
The team with the most points will win the league and all the teams will be competition.
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