Slimbridge Delighted With Forward Progress

Slimbridge co-chairman Barry Gay has declared himself delighted with the forward progress of the club as they near the end of their seventh year of football in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South.

“Here we are at the business end of the season,” Gay said, “and with seven games to go we are sitting in a very respectable 11th place, which is a superb achievement.”

Following the departure of Lee Driver-Dickerson to local rivals Evesham United before Christmas, assistant manager and first-team coach Tom Speers and Tom Deakin took over the reins on an interim basis and strengthened the coaching team with the appointment of Adam Coyle from the Swans’ reserve team set-up.

The move seems to have paid off – “I must heap praise on our interim management team for the way that they have galvanised the team in recent months – Results have seen the side go five games unbeaten which has all but preserved Southern League Football for another year, which will be our eighth season.”

Gay also paid tribute the players on the pitch: “A lot of credit must go to this close-knit group of players, who have shown a great attitude and spirit of togetherness this season. I’m very proud of them all.”

With a thriving set-up which now includes the first team, a reserve side and an under-18 team, Gay acknowledged that it takes a huge amount of work off the pitch to support a set-up, which this season has seen players move through up the ladder from the under-18s into the first-team squad and thrive at a higher level.

“Our committee continues to work tirelessly to support the coaches of all three sides, with the reserves and 18’s both doing well in their respective leagues, which gives me great encouragement for the future. We will review our progress at the end of the season and decide what we need to need to do next to continue the momentum we have in the club at the moment.”

Finally, Gay paid tribute to the Swans supporters who have travelled from Plymouth to Lymington and all parts beyond with the side, in a season where the Swans will break their mileage record for away travel. “I have to say a huge thank you to all our supporters, both home and away, who have followed the club in all weathers, win or lose”.

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