BROMSGROVE SPORTING | SHAW THING

Billy Shaw reflects on his first season at Step 3

Having made the jump from Step 5 to Step 3 during the summer, Billy Shaw has learned a lot over the course of the season just gone.

The 22 year-old attacking midfielder has established himself as a popular figure at Pitching In Southern League Premier Central outfit, Bromsgrove Sporting.

“Looking back over the season as a whole, I would say that it was a good one for me,” the former Worcester City man told us. “It was my first at this level but I’ve been able to hold my own and play plenty of football.

“I did suffer an injury in October which kept me out for a couple of months and that was frustrating, but after that I started to pick up some form playing in my more comfortable position and I was pleased with how things went from a personal point of view.

“From a team perspective, we shot ourselves in the foot too many times by throwing points away late on in games, so it put extra pressure on us in the wrong half of the table.

“There were a lot of changes at the club too and that played a part, but the main thing was that we stayed in the League and we were able to do that, even though it was a lot closer than we would have liked.

“It’s been all part of the learning process for me and hopefully I can use it to make me stronger for the new season when I will be looking to play my part in helping to push the team forward under the new Gaffer.

“This is a tough League where every game is a real battle. The biggest thing for me is knowing that in each game you have to put in your best performance otherwise the team will get punished.

“You can’t get away with letting your standards slip at this level and I’ve enjoyed the challenge that it has presented to me.

“Everyone is capable of beating each other; we went from losing to a team in the relegation zone one week to beating the League leaders the next and that was the same across the division.”

The Rouslers announced the return of Paul Smith as manager ahead of the final game of the 2023/24 season, where he had a watching brief.

He was previously at the helm between 2014 and 2018, where he took charge of just over 200 games.

“I have some wonderful memories from my first stint at the club,” he said. “We had a fantastic few years and now I am excited by the challenge of helping the club grow again.

“This is probably the toughest job I have taken on; it’s a rebuilding process on and off the pitch, which will take time, but the hard work is already well underway.

“Hopefully I can ignite the fire again.”

IMAGE: Bromsgrove Sporting FC

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