Bourne Town 0 Buckingham Town 0

Bourne Town 0 Buckingham Town 0

The Last game of the season and the 4th game in 8 days, provided a long trip to Bourne Town F.C

After the week the mid week games, it would be easy for players to say that they are injured and not available, but we managed to get 13 players for this game and some of those players were carrying injures.

I would like to say thanks to those players that wanted to play in the penultimate game of the season and although many had tired legs they gave another deserved performance.

The message was clear from myself, I wanted to go above Wootton and gain 42 points. The players were aware of this and for those who came to watch the game, would have seen a tired team again having many chances to win.

The wood work got in the way on a couple of occasions and the Bourne goal keeper made some fantastic saves, especially 1 minute from time when Daley Cross fired a 25 yrd screamer into the top corner only for the keeper to pull off a brilliant save.

So we didn't get the win, and the players and myself were disappointed but they gave the best they could and that's all I could ask of them.

　

The Season

Where can I start.... Lets say this season has been very challenging, not only with off the field problems, but keeping this team together and for the team to bond. I keep saying to myself, " most of theses players are in their early 20's " they have different personalities,and those personalities sometimes clash.

You have to work out, how to manage those situations and work with those players and talk to them as people.

I had players not turning up for games when they said they would be their, also players pulling out on the Saturday morning, sometimes 2/3 players on one day would pull out - YES this is not acceptable, and I know at times some of the excuses were a " load of old tosh " but I always give players a second chance and opportunity to make things right, some players need a genuine kick up the back side, but some players just need a chat about WHY and HOW they can change for the better.

Lets look at one player Ieuan Riley...( Sorry Ieuan ). For those who know Ieaun he is a good guy off the pitch, polite and easy to get on with, but at time he has let himself, the squad and me down with his actions. Myself and Ieaun have had a number of long conversations and chats about many things as I respect him as a person, he took a lot of those conversations on board and completely changed his attitude towards football and playing, and has been one of the outstanding players in the last 8 weeks.

We have a good bunch lads at the club and so much potential to be more successful as a squad, and over the season we have had some real laughs.

The last 8 weeks the team has played a number of games, with Saturday and midweek fixtures, this gave the opportunity to play "FOOTBALL" the fitness levels and sharpness on the pitch were far better than mid season, and I noticed a massive change in some players. maybe the players that didn't train mid season need to realise that it is so so important to make the effort not only for team moral but to keep their own game and fitness levels up and sharp.

The Good Times

We always forget the good times we have, and look at the negatives, but lets remember how these players helped the club financially with the small run in the FA Vase, and of course beating Ascot and the well drilled win against Winslow.

We managed to get to the semi final of the charity cup against Banbury and put on a classy display in both legs only to go out 5-3 on aggregate.

The Games when we have come from behind to win 4-3 with last minute winners, Sileby Rangers, Raunds away springs to mind, and last Thursday's come back of the season against Bugbrook was our greatest achievement.

All in all - A tough season, the players have learnt that things don't happen over night, we have to pull together to succeed and although at times its hard, we must try and stay as positive as possible and understand that this club and team is in a rebuild.

Thank you also to Jason our physio who has helped players and myself this season, Jason has give his own time to the club and our team, and worked on players injuries when needed.
Cheers mate.
And thank you to Pat,s mum for putting up with my Smutty mouth.

Feet up and Relax !!!!

Cheers Kit.