Matches

Season 2007-8 in focus

“IT‘S RAINING (REIGNING?) MANAGERS”

A BRIEF REVIEW

Following a turbulent 2006-07 campaign there was hope that this season would see more stability brought to the Club as we entered our third season in the top flight of the Non League game under the sponsorship of Blue Square.

Well the Board of Directors remained the same, but the Chairman decided to have another go at team management following a disappointing home defeat at the hands of Exeter City on 16 February. Manager Justin Edinburgh had struggled to produce a consistent, winning side which had defended as well as anyone in the Division but had failed to score an average of a goal a game.

Chairman/Owner/ Manager, Mike Woodward declared himself better placed this time to take the reins again and he swiftly appointed two professional coaches, Neil Smith and Tim O‘Shea to support newly promoted Assistant Manager Gary Phillips.

Pre-season had gone well with a solitary defeat against a Spurs side with 11 internationals in a squad of 16. A Wolves outfit with Michael Kightly and Freddy Eastwood making welcome appearances, failed to score against us and we beat a strong Leyton Orient team. The squad had been strengthened with a new spine of keeper, Ross Flitney, central defender, Jon Ashton and striker, Danny Kedwell. More experience in the form of midfielder, Karl Murray and striker Craig MaCallister and recruits from Conference South, striker, Ben Watson and midfielders, Charlie Hearn and Jamie Day plus 19 year Jack Haverson a central defender, previously at the Ipswich Academy, winger Mark Marshall and the enigmatic James Lawson completed a squad that gave a feeling of strength in depth. Five Youth players had also been given their first professional contracts as the Club looked to develop its own where possible.

The first third of the season saw 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 defeats, just 16 points from 15 games - more relegation fodder than play-off potential. The best aspects were the creditable draw on the opening day of the season in front of the Setanta cameras against demoted, but clearly ambitious Torquay, and a 5-1 demolition of Kidderminster at the Rec with Danny Kedwell hitting a hatrick. The worst, a 2-0 home defeat against York, which included a sending off for Jamie Stuart and a bad injury for visiting striker, Chris Beardsley.

The next 14 League games saw a record of 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats. We had also lost poorly to Lewes in the F A Cup following a drawn game at the Rec which should have been won. Some success in the Trophy, with a revenge win against Lewes was followed by another disappointing defeat, this time at home to York in a replay which should not have been necessary following a dubious penalty awarded at Kit-kat Crescent when we were one up and looking comfortable. Wins in the much downgraded Essex Senior Cup against Braintree and Stanway Rovers was followed by a home defeat to Heybridge. A 3-1 win at Welling with Scott Taylor neting a hatrick, was followed the next week by an inglorious exit at Crawley where we were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing. During this time we lost Dennis Oli and Stuart Thurgood to Gillingham who were re-united with former manager, Mark Stimson. A number of other players moved on and a number of new players joined as the Club sought that elusive formula for success.

By the 23 February, Mike Woodward decided to take charge again and his record for the last 17 games of 8 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats was certainly what many had hoped for earlier in the season. Our strike rate had also improved significantly with 30 goals at a rate nearly double what had been witnessed during the previous 39 League and Cup games under Justin.

Your writer has difficulty in determining the reason for the improvement. Certainly the loan signings of Jamie Taylor from Dagenham and Barry Cogan from Gillingham helped as did the return of the prodigal son, Stuart Thurgood also on loan from the Gills. Mike Woodward clearly has a strong man-management approach and coaches Neil Smith and Tim O‘Shea with Gary Phillips appeared to bring better organisational qualities and perhaps a fitter squad. Whatever the reason, the season finished well with a top ten position.

Another very pleasing aspect was the day after we made the long journey to Farsley Celtic for our last game and the first team squad supported Ernie Cooksey in his benefit match against the Ex Pros at the Rec. A good crowd of over 1,500 paid tribute to a brave young man, who faces a battle that puts even our beloved game into sharp perspective. Good luck Ernie!

Any commentary on the season would be incomplete without reference to the Club‘s plans for relocating to the Aveley Sports and Social Club ground.

Many supporters saw the plans unveiled after our home game with Halifax. Whilst some have voiced their objections, many appreciate that the ambitions of the current Club management rely on raising revenue both for the capital investment required for the new facilities and ongoing income from commercial and community activity to support a successful team.

We should soon find out if the Club can fulfil its ambitions of becoming a successful, community based Club competing at a level of competition commensurate with its ability to be self-financing.

If the move happens, your writer will be very sad to leave a ground where he has spent so many happy hours over the last half a century, but also very excited at the prospect of continuing to support an organisation that can play an even more significant role in the wider community of Thurrock.

Your Roving Reporter “Wickers World”