I felt that it was important to give a ‘state of play’ statement.
First, and the biggest positive, is that I am really pleased to have retained the vast majority of last season’s team and the current squad list gives me confidence that we have a very good platform for a successful team for next season.
Last season we had some talented players and they were well-liked and contributed to our success. As expected, there is fear that the loss of a few of them will affect our momentum and chances of success. But I’d draw your attention to the words in our new changing room, that have been there all season: ‘’Talent wins games, but Teamwork and Intelligence wins Championships’’.
These words were meant to be aspirational, but also sensible guidance about what brings success. Well they worked! So whilst some will think about the talent, as a manager and coach I look at the togetherness, teamwork and the intelligence of our work. I’d like to think that our team and the work that we have done together is far too strong to be affected by small losses, especially when the pool of possible recruits to replace them is so rich.
We wish the players that have left this year the best in their futures, like we did Lewis Montrose, Danny Lloyd, Jason Oswell and Jimmy Ball in the previous two seasons. But we must not be over nostalgic or fearful of players leaving.
All of those players played their part, but when they left we got better. Why? Because at this club we care about every player’s development and more importantly the team. When you have an environment and collective that looks for continual improvement, and players buy into it, all the players get better as individuals and the team grows and continues to improve.
We retain a core of very good professionals regardless of their part-time, hybrid or full-time status. In fact our ‘part-time’ players have been a model of professionalism. They have been in the Team of the Year for the League and won the two Players of the Year awards at the club.
In wider terms it is notable that the National North Team of the Year was made up of part-time players and had no full-time players! We shouldn’t reflect on the full-time players and clubs of the North with any negativity or disrespect, but we should praise the professionalism of the part-time players in the non-league game that are playing with such heart and consistency, despite their status which suggests they are not total professionals.
It is clear last season that our more experienced players fulfilled their potential. Furthermore, the players training more in the additional ‘hybrid’ sessions also added to their game again this season. I feel we still have great potential to unlock with the younger full-time players. We have seen the signs in Frank Mulhern, Nyal Bell, Elliot Osborne, Connor Dimaio and Jake Kirby along with the progress that Jordan Downing, Festus Arthur and Szymon Czubik have made. We also have to be sure that any players we add have the ‘proven with potential’ along with the underpinning desire and attributes to get better and better.
Our squad currently has the following 17 regular first team players and developing players contracted for next season:-
Goalkeepers:-
- Ben Hinchliffe
- Ian Ormson
Defenders:-
- Sam Minihan
- Ash Palmer
- Jordan Keane
- Dan Cowan
- Jordan Downing
- Festus Arthur
Midfielders:-
- Paul Turnbull
- Sam Walker
- Elliot Osborne
- Connor Dimaio
Attackers:-
- Adam Thomas
- Jake Kirby
- Frank Mulhern
- Nyal Bell
- Szymon Czubik
We feel we will need two or three more additions to strengthen the team and would like to add further improvable developing players to the club. It is likely we will run with a squad similar in size to last season of 20-22 players.
There are clear areas for recruitment such as left-back, left side of attack and the No ‘10’ position but we are open minded to additions in other areas if it creates greater depth, width or quality to the group. I have been extremely busy in the last few weeks and remain confident that we will strengthen and have a better squad for the start of the season.
I have also been working hard on completing our pre-season games programme and ensuring that our training ground are in place and ready for the start of pre-season. It is our intention to start pre-season earlier than most clubs with a possible eight week programme. We feel it is an area that will enhance our competitive edge.
The number of training sessions in pre-season will also rise, especially for the full time players, and the emphasis on strength and athletic development will continue in-house with those players. The staff are also planning individual development programmes for our players as we become more aware and conscious of their individual needs and areas for improvement. If we maintain and develop everything we do and strive for the continual improvement throughout the club we can be confident that our journey continues towards the full-time professional club in the Football League we are so keen to see return.
As a final footnote can I thank Gary Burton, Mark Lockyear and John Fitzpatrick for their sterling work behind the scenes to support and assist me in everything that is required to maintain and build the football structures for this club. We have come a long way in the last three years and much about the club has changed, and changed dramatically for the better. That work continues and you can trust in these people that only ever have one club in mind – Stockport County.
