Post by Lee on Jun 11, 2007 16:21:17 GMT 1
Source: Baldock Town FC Website
In the last twelve months the first team has come on at such an excellent rate that the club is now preparing for their first season in the Herts Senior County League with pre-season beginning early next month.
Joint 1st Team Manager Steve King looks back at the past year's highs and lows as well as the excitement of looking ahead to the new campaign.
"We enjoyed an excellent pre-season where everybody's level of fitness increased significantly. Also, it allowed the management to 'suss out' who was up for the fight and who was happy at playing a lower level. Hardly any of the existing 1st Team squad missed a session which speaks volumes. We also wanted to push the players harder than what they've been used to in previous pre-seasons to
a) let them know that we're very serious about competing on all fronts this year, and
b) to give a lot of the players their first 'real' pre-season. This year will be no different (well, it'll be a little harder), but we know the players won't be shocked about that.
We knew what to expect from the majority of the players as we had them last year and knew that every reserve player's attitude was exceptional - but we didn't know much about the 1st team of the 2005/06 season.
The ones with the good attitude lasted the season and benefited massively from all their hard work. Runners up in the massive competition that is the County Cup (Herts Junior Cup), together with runners up in the league and Benevolent Shield meant we played more games that any other side in the league and were hugely successful.
This also brings us neatly onto the 'disappointments' section of the season. For all our hard work and endeavours, for all the effort of pre-season and the, at times, superb displays of passing football, we have nothing to show for it in terms of 'triumphs'. I truly hope that the players have learned from the disappointments of the '2nds' and in particular, losing the County Cup Final as that hurt all of us very badly.
Bazza and I know the team lacked experience and to be honest, we all got a little bit excited with 'what might have been'. We also lacked fitness and this is something we don't normally have a problem with. As the season came to it's climax, the games got more sporadic and the regularity of playing every Saturday seemed to stop and our fitness levels dropped to a level that isn't sufficient. Kingy and Barry take part of the blame for this, but ultimately, a fitter BTFC would have won something this year and this is a key area for the players to look at. As much as we encouraged the lads to 'go for a run', I very much doubt our youngsters took the advice. This is a huge learning curve for the lads, as I'm sure fitness has never been a problem before - but now we are playing at higher levels against fitter and stronger players, we all need to take the responsibility and look after ourselves a bit more.
As for the highs, the highlight of the season must undoubtedly be the final at the County Ground. Playing in front of over 600 people was a superb experience for all involved, from players through to the committee and regular supporters. We had a real go at them and in the 2nd half, showed why we deserved to be playing on such an occasion. But again, we had to make 3 subs purely due to fatigue and a hot day and where we would have liked to 'tinker' here and there to adjust certain things; our hands were tied due to half the team 'breathing out of their arses' with 20 minutes to go!!
Other memorable days were beating St Ippolyts on their own manor and thoroughly deserving to do so and also beating Clannad Celtic at home. In both matches we were a goal down and showed great character and resilience. The St Ippolyts game was particularly pleasing as we were the only side to beat them on the domestic front.
Disappointments were both the Kings Sports Reserves games - even though we won the away fixture, they were two very poor performances and both Bazza and I felt we hadn't improved as a team as much as we had hoped and it was a real eye-opener. However, after some harsh words the players responded and it was just as well as a few of them were on their last warnings!! Losing both home and away to Woolmer Green was heartbreaking and ultimately lost us the league - both were games we should have won comfortably but a lack of commitment from important players cost us dearly.
But the most pleasing thing from a Manager's point of view, is that every single player finished the season a far improved version of themselves. Everyone of them had at one time or another received a bollocking and responded very very well. The ones that didn't just disappeared from the team altogether. Every player spent time on the bench and pretty much always came back a stronger player. I have no doubt that while the players were standing on the touchline watching with me and Bazza, they were thinking what a couple of t**ts we were, but they went on and done the business and nearly always started the next match a stronger player.
Me and Baz are very proud to have run the 1st Team with very few players. It was more or less the same 14 every week and this team spirit and togetherness helped us so much in many matches. The bonding and team spirit was there for all to see and it's what made the Reserves such a good side the year before when me and Baz used 15 players all year and we ended up as joint winners of the league and won the cup.
The Herts Senior County League next season brings more new challenges and a lot tougher and stronger opponents. We need to be fitter than last year - smarter and more ruthless. We'll need that ability to grind out tough matches and come away with a 1-0 victory. But me and Bazz can't wait for the challenge. Every player will be given the chance to earn a starting shirt and we genuinely hope you can take it. We need to strengthen every single area - there is not one position on the pitch that doesn't need to get better. We are hoping that the existing players will continue their progression and fill the gaps provided - but as you should know by now, me and Baz won't be going into this league 'to make up the numbers'!! As I said at the presentation night, 'We're going to have a right f*****g go'.
Very well done last season lads - but this year myself and Baz want a Winners medal! And so should you!!
Love
The Management"
If you are a fan, player or follower of the club, 1st Team or Reserves, please feel free to post your comments on the past season's acheivements on this thread.
In the last twelve months the first team has come on at such an excellent rate that the club is now preparing for their first season in the Herts Senior County League with pre-season beginning early next month.
Joint 1st Team Manager Steve King looks back at the past year's highs and lows as well as the excitement of looking ahead to the new campaign.
"We enjoyed an excellent pre-season where everybody's level of fitness increased significantly. Also, it allowed the management to 'suss out' who was up for the fight and who was happy at playing a lower level. Hardly any of the existing 1st Team squad missed a session which speaks volumes. We also wanted to push the players harder than what they've been used to in previous pre-seasons to
a) let them know that we're very serious about competing on all fronts this year, and
b) to give a lot of the players their first 'real' pre-season. This year will be no different (well, it'll be a little harder), but we know the players won't be shocked about that.
We knew what to expect from the majority of the players as we had them last year and knew that every reserve player's attitude was exceptional - but we didn't know much about the 1st team of the 2005/06 season.
The ones with the good attitude lasted the season and benefited massively from all their hard work. Runners up in the massive competition that is the County Cup (Herts Junior Cup), together with runners up in the league and Benevolent Shield meant we played more games that any other side in the league and were hugely successful.
This also brings us neatly onto the 'disappointments' section of the season. For all our hard work and endeavours, for all the effort of pre-season and the, at times, superb displays of passing football, we have nothing to show for it in terms of 'triumphs'. I truly hope that the players have learned from the disappointments of the '2nds' and in particular, losing the County Cup Final as that hurt all of us very badly.
Bazza and I know the team lacked experience and to be honest, we all got a little bit excited with 'what might have been'. We also lacked fitness and this is something we don't normally have a problem with. As the season came to it's climax, the games got more sporadic and the regularity of playing every Saturday seemed to stop and our fitness levels dropped to a level that isn't sufficient. Kingy and Barry take part of the blame for this, but ultimately, a fitter BTFC would have won something this year and this is a key area for the players to look at. As much as we encouraged the lads to 'go for a run', I very much doubt our youngsters took the advice. This is a huge learning curve for the lads, as I'm sure fitness has never been a problem before - but now we are playing at higher levels against fitter and stronger players, we all need to take the responsibility and look after ourselves a bit more.
As for the highs, the highlight of the season must undoubtedly be the final at the County Ground. Playing in front of over 600 people was a superb experience for all involved, from players through to the committee and regular supporters. We had a real go at them and in the 2nd half, showed why we deserved to be playing on such an occasion. But again, we had to make 3 subs purely due to fatigue and a hot day and where we would have liked to 'tinker' here and there to adjust certain things; our hands were tied due to half the team 'breathing out of their arses' with 20 minutes to go!!
Other memorable days were beating St Ippolyts on their own manor and thoroughly deserving to do so and also beating Clannad Celtic at home. In both matches we were a goal down and showed great character and resilience. The St Ippolyts game was particularly pleasing as we were the only side to beat them on the domestic front.
Disappointments were both the Kings Sports Reserves games - even though we won the away fixture, they were two very poor performances and both Bazza and I felt we hadn't improved as a team as much as we had hoped and it was a real eye-opener. However, after some harsh words the players responded and it was just as well as a few of them were on their last warnings!! Losing both home and away to Woolmer Green was heartbreaking and ultimately lost us the league - both were games we should have won comfortably but a lack of commitment from important players cost us dearly.
But the most pleasing thing from a Manager's point of view, is that every single player finished the season a far improved version of themselves. Everyone of them had at one time or another received a bollocking and responded very very well. The ones that didn't just disappeared from the team altogether. Every player spent time on the bench and pretty much always came back a stronger player. I have no doubt that while the players were standing on the touchline watching with me and Bazza, they were thinking what a couple of t**ts we were, but they went on and done the business and nearly always started the next match a stronger player.
Me and Baz are very proud to have run the 1st Team with very few players. It was more or less the same 14 every week and this team spirit and togetherness helped us so much in many matches. The bonding and team spirit was there for all to see and it's what made the Reserves such a good side the year before when me and Baz used 15 players all year and we ended up as joint winners of the league and won the cup.
The Herts Senior County League next season brings more new challenges and a lot tougher and stronger opponents. We need to be fitter than last year - smarter and more ruthless. We'll need that ability to grind out tough matches and come away with a 1-0 victory. But me and Bazz can't wait for the challenge. Every player will be given the chance to earn a starting shirt and we genuinely hope you can take it. We need to strengthen every single area - there is not one position on the pitch that doesn't need to get better. We are hoping that the existing players will continue their progression and fill the gaps provided - but as you should know by now, me and Baz won't be going into this league 'to make up the numbers'!! As I said at the presentation night, 'We're going to have a right f*****g go'.
Very well done last season lads - but this year myself and Baz want a Winners medal! And so should you!!
Love
The Management"
If you are a fan, player or follower of the club, 1st Team or Reserves, please feel free to post your comments on the past season's acheivements on this thread.