Stamford AFC and Jack Duffy are looking to make 2026 a year to remember for all of the right reasons.
After finishing seventh and sixth at the end of the last two seasons, the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club have had a disappointing first half of the current campaign, which has left them bottom of the table.
However, a number of new arrivals, combined with the return of popular striker Duffy from suspension, has given plenty of cause for optimism going into the New Year.
A 1-0 victory at Worcester City on Saturday, where Duffy bagged the all-important goal, could prove to be a turning point.
“We had to dig really deep as a group,” Duffy told us. “It wasn’t always pretty, but we stuck together and showed real character.
“Every single player put a shift in and I’d say everyone was at least an eight out of ten. Personally, it was great to contribute with a goal, but the most important thing was getting the win.
“We said before the game that we needed something to give us a lift. There have been a few changes in the dressing room and getting a victory like that can hopefully give us some real confidence moving forward. It’s something we can build on now.
“To be honest, I just want to play football. I haven’t really been thinking too much about how it feels being back — my focus is just on getting minutes, helping the team and enjoying my football again.
“It’s a really tough League with some very good teams in it. Every game is competitive and I’m sure there will be plenty of battles at both ends of the table right up until the end of the season.
“Personally, it’s about getting back to enjoying football again and contributing as much as I can. As a team, the main aim is to keep the club up and make sure we finish the season strongly.
“It’s another big game on Tuesday evening as we host an AFC Sudbury side that sit just above us having played a couple more games. It’s also the first of two successive home games this week and we have to be able to make them count and pick up from where we left off at Worcester.”
IMAGE: @Robgasman
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