smp20

Contracted Players I'm very happy with Hall as our first choice keeper. He's good in the air, has good handing, reflexes and one on ones and he's determined. Passant is a very capable second choice keeper. I will not be needing to recruit between the sticks . Djalo would most likely play right back in our system and he's reasonably talented. The biggest worry is is lack of determination, I may look to shift out on loan or sell. Fanning is a reasonable all rounder who could slot in at DM but much liker Djalo he lacks determination and is a cause for concern. Djankpata is the diamond of the team; he's young and technical decent but of course his biggest asset is his pace. Advanced Forward starter sorted! Bentham isn't really up to the level, but he's on low wages and if he's happy to play a fringe role then he may be kept around. Nadin lacks pace, but he's young and I rate him slightly better than Bentham. A good squad option. I'd be happy with Watkinson as a starting striker alongside Djankpata; he's poor technically but makes up for it with his work rate, aggression and physicality. Out of Contract Players Doyle is slow and not great technically, but he could definitely do a job in defensive midfield alongside someone a bit quicker and/or creative. Likely to be offered a contract. Due to his aerial ability Lonsdale would more likely to be a centre back for us, but if I'm honest he looks bang average. I'm on the fence. Brannen is an excellent decision maker, however he's neither good in the air or quick which is a big worry for a centre back. Likely to be released. Overall this means that we've got two solid keepers, several options up top although only one standout while we are more or less defenceless and wingerless!

I arrived back from my holiday to discover that our budgets had been slashed. I wasn't privy to the finances, but I was told that while the club is in a good financial state, the club made a loss of £80k last season which would explain it. I was ready at the pre-pre-season meeting and training *ahem - trials* but to my dismay I wasn't greeted by a full squad turn out. Five key players from last season were no shows proving they had no intention of signing on for the new season including the league's top scorer Jacob Walton. Just 11 senior players attended, of which 3 are vying for a new contract. I also invited our current Under 18s to try out for a place in the first team squad but it was quite clear early on that they were well off the standard.

The day after the cup final I was announced as the new manager of Marine. While it says that they're divisional rivals, the size of the clubs are vastly different. Marine pull crowds of 800+ and are historically a typical 7th tier side with the potential to progress to the upper echelons of non-league football based on their support level. It's a big move, but as I've got a family base in the North-West that's under an hour's commute from Crosby, Marine's home just north of Liverpool, it's a viable team. Unfortunately the move from South to North has come with one downside in that my weekly wage has dropped from £325pw to £275pw...I will have to get a few extra part-time coaching hours elsewhere to make it work! In recent seasons the club has yo-yoed between the 7th and 8th tier, most recently winning the 8th tier in 2022, getting relegated from the 7th tier in 2023 and finishing 8th in the 8th tier in 2024. As mentioned earlier, this is a club with big potential so let's see where I can take them. The table was very tight at the top last season, the Phoenix side of former-league Bury scraped the title on goal difference. Marine finished 5 points outside the play-offs which is where we will be aiming for next season. All the players and staff are currently on season break so I'm also using it as an opportunity to unwind also. I'll be meeting the players and staff on Monday 24th June for a pre-pre-season meeting and training session (trials!) to decide who deserves new contracts.

We managed to take full advantage of an early red card and dominate the final, ensuring a league and cup double to end my tenure at Takeley . An outstanding debut from the youngster, scoring a brace in a cup final is no mean feat let alone in your first ever game!

Here we go! Bad news is that Whitfield is suspended so a new youth recruit makes his debut in the left midfield position. Other than that it's a full strength 11.

Getting prepared for the cup final!

The dream of the treble is over, but we've still got one cup final to look forward to.

We may have struggled to draw against relegation threatened Clapton, but in the end it didn't even matter as it was enough for us to secure the title with two games spare .

1 Year at Takeley: 31st March 2023 to 31st March 2024 The 31st March marks a year in the dugout at Takeley F.C. January - March Results The turn of 2024 seemed to be like a gear change at the club as we marched through the first three months of the year in fantastic form. We lost just one game, on Valentines Day, as well as only drawing three games during an actioned packed three months. We've also progressed in the two League Cups. Essex Senior League Table We now sit atop of the table meaning that over the year I've taken Takeley from bottom to top of the Essex Senior League. With just four games left promotion and the title is well and truly in our hands. Player Stats Due to injuries to Mace and Rees we needed to add to our squad; Day and Smith were adequate additions to our right hand side with Day also able to play at centre back. Both Ward and Reynolds, players I know well in real life, have come in and made their mark on the side. Kargbo's goalscoring has dried up a little so it was good to add Ward. Meanwhile veteran Ford ended up playing his way back into the side as a regular, albeit mostly from the bench. With Rees and Mace recovering from their injuries I fully expect us to have a strong finish. Remaining Fixtures 4 League games left and a potential to win a treble if we win all our remaining cup games. Now that would be going out on a high!

The next chapter has been set, but there's still a job to do at Takeley. More news on the Marine front to come.

Lost my right hand man . He makes the step up to the 8th tier with Portsmouth based side Baffins Milton.

It looks like were not quite at the stage of being considered for roles in other countries just yet, PSNI are the side rock bottom of Northern Ireland's 3rd tier.

Essex Senior League August-December Results We're unbeaten at home in the league, whereas away from home we've lost more than we've won. Up until Christmas Day we were top of the table, but back-to-back 1-0 away losses has seen us fall down the league. Essex Senior League Table A lot of teams very close points wise at the top with just two promotion spots. Player Stats Rees is the standout performer at the season's halfway point, while Dunne, Whitfield and Turner have impressed and Kargbo is currently our top scorer.

Thanks mate likewise to you!

Another player known from real life, Ollie Ward is a top prospect and adds work rate, aggression and quality to our front line.

I wasn't even sure if I'd take the job as they're well below us in the league, but a bigger side. That decision was taken out my hands

Finally achieved my B Licence! A nice bump to my attributes, interestingly I have developed the defensive coaching side more than the attacking. My reputation has risen from 5% to 10% too.

Approached the board to request investing some of the FA Cup prize money into developing the club's youth system. They agreed

A good start with my first club, let's look to push on.

A player I know well in real life and one I'd be very confident in trusting between the sticks at this level or up to a couple above. Welcome Harry!

Unfortunately I wasn't successful in getting the City job. Former Loughborough Students manager Ackerley got the nod - fair enough he's got an A Licence and a lot more experience.

We played well over the two fixtures but ultimately couldn't finish Witton off and they ended up sneaking through to a nice tie against Halifax. An FA Cup run to be proud of - one the board can be very happy with finance wise too!

Cambridge City would be a nice natural progression. They're struggling in the tier above after an on-pitch decline over the last decade or so.

Further progress in the FA Cup after we claim an away victory against Basingstoke after drawing 1-1 at home. A home tie against another 9th tier side, albeit a side performing well in their respective league.