Slimbridge have confirmed Adam Coyle and Tom Deakin will assume the role of joint managers next season, writes Tim Blake.
The Swans. who were relegated from the Southern League to the Hellenic Premier Division, but co-chairman Barry Gaye is looking to see his side go again: “Obviously we were disappointed to lose our Southern League status, but there is a definite buzz about the place because we’re thinking that although it’s a bit of a step back, we’ll regroup and go again. We’ve had eight long hard seasons at Southern League level, and we were always battling at the lower end of the table. Next season, there’s no pressure on the boys to win anything – Having said that, it’s still a very tough league.
“We wanted Adam and Tom to continue in the roles that they were covering initially on an interim basis after the departure of Tom Speers, but we definitely felt that that they had earned the respect of the players and the committee at the club and we really believe that they can take the club forward.”
Coyle was also positive in his assessment of the coming season: “The target Deaks and I have set is firstly getting a good feeling back around the club – we’ve had some tough years, and we want to get some wins, hopefully some cup runs, but we know that nothing is a given, we have to work extra hard and to push on from there.
“Mangotsfield coming back into the League after Shrivenham withdrew is great news for us because it’s another local game, so hopefully again, that will help with crowds, and with extra revenue coming into the club. There will be loads of local derbies which is great. People will know the teams that we’re playing against, and that will create a lot of added interest. It will also increase away fans attending our games!
“We know how tough his league is going to be, just like it was last season, but we are just focussing on ourselves – we know that if we give good performances, we trust ourselves to get good results. We want to add some fresh faces to the squad, to add to the players we are keeping from last season, to complement and boost the squad ahead of what we know will be a very tough season. We are certainly not underestimating the size of the task ahead of us, we’re really looking forward to the new season and the new challenge.”
The successful Under 18s team who achieved a League and Cup double are searching for a new manager following the departure of Tom Hitchings, but Gaye said that talks to install his replacement are well advanced: “With such a good under 18s setup, we feel that now is the time that some of those lads can take a step up and come into the first team.
“The new manager for Under 18s is very much in the pipeline, and we hope to be able to make an announcement as early as next week. There has been a lot of interest in the job, and of course we need to get the right person in, who fits in with the club and buys into the way we want to operate.
“The 18s have been a bright spot for us last season, with their League and Cup double, and they have brought such a buzz to the club.”
Slimbridge kick off their pre-season campaign on July 7th, when they travel to Brockworth Albion (6.45pm Kick Off.) After another short trip to Chipping Sodbury Town on July 11th (7.45pm), the Swans return to Thornhill Park on Saturday 15th July, when Paulton Rovers provide the opposition (3.00pm).
Hellenic League Fixtures will be announced in due course.
