Just because there’s currently no action on the pitch, it doesn’t mean that it’s all quiet at our member clubs - far from it!
Over at AFC Sudbury, General Manager, David Hennessey, has been kept busy with plenty of changes at the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club.
“As many will know, the hard work starts the minute the season ends,” he told us. “Here at AFC Sudbury, we moved quickly to appoint Danny Laws as permanent Head Coach following his hugely successful nine games as caretaker at the end of last season.
“Discussions then immediately turned to the playing staff with lads moving on and replacements being recruited both in terms of the coaching and playing staff.
“We’ve secured seven new signings as I speak and we are delighted with the make-up of the squad as we move closer to pre-season.
“We might yet see a couple more additions, of course, but we knew it was important to get players done and dusted so the focus can shift to pre-season and getting things set up for the campaign ahead.
“Off-the-pitch there has been a new Chairman appointed, new sponsors secured and a new kit manufacturer, with the new kits due to be unveiled soon. There’s always something to do and everyone is happy to pitch in for the greater good of the football club.
“We’ve had a lot of much-needed help from volunteers to spruce the place up; volunteers are the heartbeat of any community football club and ours are no different.
“On Saturday we had a work party down at the ground, putting in a shift to ensure that we’ve got the best possible facilities for next season.
“The guys and girls are absolute heroes and without them grassroots football just wouldn’t be the same!"
The club face an historic third season at Step 3 during the campaign ahead having seen an upturn in form towards the end of last season move them out of the relegation zone and onto the 50-point mark, four points clear of the dreaded drop.
“We’ve seen a lot of change over the summer, but despite that, our aim will be to finish as high as we possibly can this time around,” Hennessey added. “Hopefully we won’t have the annual flirting with relegation in 2025/26; it’ll be a tough League again with several teams expected to contend for the title, but I don’t see anyone running away with it yet!
“The Premier Central is so competitive and anyone can take points off anyone, which promises another exciting season for those involved.
“Last season our main goal was to maintain our place at this level amidst some strong competition, and we managed to achieve that. It was also the first time in our history that we’ve achieved Step 3 status for successive seasons, so that is also something to be proud of.
“There were highs and lows along the way, but we finished strongly and the final League table tells the story. We had some cracking away days and personally I got to meet great people from other clubs, which added to the enjoyment.
“We hope to build on our improved attendances towards the end of last season; our hugely successful Non-League Day experience and do everything we can to give our fans the best possible day out every Saturday!”
Hennessey took on the General Manager role at the Suffolk club just over 12 months ago having previously been manager of Long Melford FC for four years.
“The role of General Manager was a new one for me last year after so many years in the dug-out as manager,” he continued. “But it’s a role I felt I really started to grow into as the season progressed.
“There were, of course, some challenges but at AFC Sudbury we’ve got a phenomenal support network and I’m fortunate to work with a great Head Coach in Danny Laws, and we’ve got the most amazing group of players and coaching staff.
“I love what I do and take a massive sense of achievement in knowing that I’ve played a small part in our development and I can’t wait to continue that moving forward.
“As we look ahead to 2025/26, our aim is to make history and finish in our highest-ever League placing at Step 3. If we can do that by playing entertaining and exciting football that the fans enjoy, it will hopefully see some big attendances, lots of smiling, happy fans and no relegation scrap.
“That would represent a great season for me!”
IMAGE: Cameron Screech
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