The forthcoming season will be Ricky Marheineke’s tenth at the helm of St. Ives Town.
Having guided them to promotion into Step 3 back in 2016, the 39 year-old has worked tirelessly to establish the club at this level.
The 2023/24 campaign saw them finish in the top ten and score more goals than anyone else – an impressive 87 in 40 League games - in the ultra-competitive Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.
“It’s only at the end of the season when you sit back, reflect and review that you appreciate what my group of players and the football club achieved,” Marheineke told us. “I think that going into the season, everyone knew it was going to be a really tough and challenging campaign with strong teams like Halesowen and Stamford being promoted as well as AFC Telford, Leamington and Kettering dropping down from The National League.
“I was confident with the group we put together pre-season that we could compete in the top half of the League, however to finish ninth after taking just three points from the first 12 games was a fantastic effort for the group.
“We did it by remaining focused, showing a strong mindset and never losing faith in what we were or wanted to be.
“With a little bit more luck with injuries early in the season, it could have made a big difference. We all feel it was a season of what ifs and that overshadowed how good we actually did in the end.
“My personal opinion is that since the restructure of the League from three to four divisions, the Premier Central has been the strongest at our level.
“This has been backed up by some of the runs that clubs in our division have been on in the FA Cup and FA Trophy in recent years as well as seeing the likes of King’s Lynn Town and Tamworth go on to achieve back-to-back promotions.
“It’s going to be just as competitive during the season ahead, so it’s a case of strap yourself in and be ready for another exciting and challenging campaign with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
“With two strong teams dropping down and some really good promoted teams, no-one can call what’s going to happen.”
So, how would Marheineke best describe his philosophy as a manager?
“This question is asked a lot and I always find it hard to put into words,” he admitted. “Every manager’s philosophy should be to win.
“In simple terms and the short answer, I want my group to be happy and prepared to fight for each other. In possession I want them to be free and set an environment where the players can make mistakes while playing within the perimeters of what we want from them. Out of possession we want them to get the ball back.”
The recent resignation of Coalville Town spelled out the harsh realities of life at this level, particularly for those clubs at the lower end of the average attendance scale, such as St. Ives Town, who had the sixth lowest average attendance in the Premier Central.
“The Coalville situation is horrible,” Marheineke said without hesitation. “I feel for everyone involved. Volunteers and supporters are the hub of every non-League club and are always most affected during these terrible situations.
“I think it’s well-known the infrastructure at St Ives Town has really improved over recent seasons, however, we are still a considerable way behind most within our League.
“We have to be smart with the way we operate when it comes to finances as the long-term sustainability of the football club is priority. We have to continue to find a way to be competitive as well as living within our means.
“Each year the target and aim is to move forward. The season ahead will be no different; to finish with more points than we did in the previous campaign would be classed as success.
“This may sound strange to most, but it’s my passion for St. Ives Town FC that drives me. I don’t really have a passion for football.
“I love this football club and the people behind-the-scenes that put in so much time, energy and money. I want the club to be as successful as possible and bring everyone involved moments and memories that make their commitment worthwhile.
“As long as they want me, I will continue to do everything within my power to manage this football club with everything I have.”
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