NORTHWOOD | PLAYING WITH PRIDE

Manny Folarin will wear the captain's armband during the campaign ahead

Having played his part in Northwood’s upturn in fortunes towards the end of last season, which ultimately led them to safety in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, Manny Folarin has given the club a boost by committing for the campaign ahead.

What’s more, the Manager’s Player of the Season has also been handed the captain’s armband.

“It’s a massive honour to be named skipper,” he told us. “I’m really excited about the challenge, it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. I want to lead by example, both on and off the pitch, and help drive standards throughout the squad.

“We’ve got a great group here, and I’m confident we can achieve something special together. It’s what made the decision to stay at the club and easy one to make.

“The club means a lot to me, from the support that I’ve received from the fans since I first arrived in November, to the belief that the staff have in me and the bond that exists between everyone here.

“There’s a great atmosphere around the place and I am proud to be part of it.”

Last term saw the club end strongly to reach the 40-point mark and avoid the dreaded drop.

“Every game was a battle last season,” Folarin added. “It was extremely competitive and no points came easy. I'm expecting the same, if not tougher, this time around.

“Teams will be strengthening, but so are we; as a group we’ve learned a lot and I think we’ll be better prepared for the challenges ahead as we go into this season.

“Last year was a season of ups and downs. There were moments that I was proud of but at the same time I know that there’s more to give and I am determined to show that this time around.

“We’ve showed glimpses of what we are capable of as a team and we know that we have to be able to do that on a much more consistent basis. It’s something that we’re working on putting right so we can avoid battling it out at the wrong end of the table.

“The main goal is to be able to push as high up the table as possible. We want to be in the mix when it matters and compete for a place in the play-offs.

“As captain I want to lead the team as well as I can on the pitch. I want to be able to stay fit and make a contribution week in, week out. More importantly, I want us to play with pride as a team and give the supporters something to really shout about.”

IMAGE: @jamesbrown333

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