Willand Rovers have made a strong start to their preparations for the new season with three players, Jamie Richards, River Allen and Carlo Garside, all agreeing to join from Tiverton Town.
It has certainly increased the sense of anticipation at the Devon club who burst out of the blocks in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South last season before falling away to finish in 14th place.
“Reflecting on last season, we should view it as a decent one,” insisted manager, David Steele. “We achieved some much-needed stability throughout our League campaign and then ended the season with some silverware having won the Devon Bowl.
“We set out to improve on the previous season where we were battling against relegation to eventually finish 15th, and we certainly did that.
“This is a tight League and I don’t expect much to change in the campaign ahead. We’ve lost two of the big-hitters in Wimborne Town and Frome Town, but there are plenty of other clubs who will fancy their chances.
“I think that ultimately it will come down to the clubs who travel the best and there are going to be plenty of miles covered for all clubs.”
Having done his apprenticeship as assistant manager to Russell Jee for seven years, Steele has been at the helm for the past couple of years.
“I really enjoy working with people and being able to support and manage them when the need arises,” he continued. “I have a passion for managing a collective group rather than coaching. The feeling of getting a positive result on a Saturday is second-to-none.
“I try to create an open environment for players within which they can develop and grow; understanding how players respond to feedback, good or bad, is something I believe is vital.
“There are so many situations that crop up, be that before, during or after games and you have to be able to deal with them. I want all of my players to feel that they can approach me with ideas or have discussions on any subject.”
The environment that Steele has created at Silver Street has certainly played its part in persuading the recent trio of signings to drop down a level to join the club.
“All three are exactly what we need and they are going to give the squad a huge boost,” Steele added. “The reaction on social media pretty much summed up the feeling throughout the local non-League scene.
“We know what they will bring and we are thrilled to have them here. The rest of the squad is shaping up very well with the majority already onboard for the new season, including captain Owen Howe, plus all of the award winners from our end of season dinner; Ashton Hewitt, Ross Edwards, Ryan Guppy, Josh Searle, and Charlie Wright.
“Our main objective for the season ahead is to improve on the last one. We won’t be getting ahead of ourselves and we will need to earn the right throughout the course of the campaign before re-setting any targets we may have.”
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