Straight talking and honesty has been the secret to Brixham AFC’s rise which has seen them go from Step 6 to Step 4 in the space of two years.
After claiming the South West Peninsula League Premier East Division title in 2022/23, they followed it up with play-off success in the Western League Premier Division at the end of last term having finished third.
Now they look forward to competing in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South.
“We pride ourselves on straight talking and being honest with those around us,” said co-manager, Tim Porter. “Both Jason Couch [co-manager] and I are firm believers in that hard work and the right attitude is talent and the players who play for us are made fully aware of the requirements from the moment they join.
“We've always taken pride in our teams’ work-rate, discipline and desire to win games of football, it’s a prerequisite and an unwavering expectation for all players who join us for the ride.
“A lot of people talk about attractive football styles, but ultimately any football fan wants their team to win and that is what we always try and endeavour to get our teams to do.”
That kind of mentality has taken the team far and Porter is excited by the challenge ahead.
“Our limited local knowledge of some of the closer teams may help a little in our preparation,” he admitted. “But we are very much going into this new campaign with our eyes wide open; we’ll be pulling in favours and talking as much as possible to people that have been around this level.
“We'll have a tough pre-season where the lads will be pushed, tested and challenged - ultimately this will demonstrate their value to the squad and allow us to explore their values and commitment to our plans and ambitions.
“There’s going to be plenty of blood, sweat and tears ahead, but we’re ready for it!
“Last season we went into the campaign with what was seen as a rather ambitious target of finishing in the top five and having a good Cup run.
“Bearing in mind it was only our second season at Step 5, it was considered a very stretching target for a squad of players that were still very inexperienced for that level of football.
“So, to finish third, win the play-offs and become runners-up in the League Cup was a great achievement for us and to take the club into Step 4, overtaking many of our more established local rivals, gives us an incredible sense of pride and satisfaction.
“For a club of our size to have achieved such growth on the pitch demonstrates how people management, player management and creating a strong bond within our talented group of players can be more important than the actual coaching aspect.
“We are acutely aware that every promotion we’ve had in the last four years has meant that the following season the opposition, the grounds and the supporters all present new and difficult challenges and it will be no different with the Southern League during the campaign ahead.
"The key challenges will surround fitness, mental strength and an increase in tactical awareness, but we face it with relish and determination.
“The teams that we'll be competing against will no doubt consider us as underdogs; but one thing we've prided ourselves on over the years is hard work, strong commitment and everyone following the same plan.
“Our first priority is to make sure we’re in this League again for the following season. If we can do that then that will probably be a greater achievement in itself than gaining promotion in the first place.”
The managerial duo have plenty of experience between them, but this will be their first taste of life at Step 4.
“Jason has over quarter-of-a-century of managerial experience at various levels to call up,” Porter continued. “He’s been here since 2010 and has overseen so much development in that time.
“I joined him in 2018 after managing a couple of teams in the SWPL (Step 6), despite spending some of my playing days in Step 5.
“The challenge that presents itself for the two of us will be new, but is extremely exciting. Our ethos is very much aligned and our joined up thinking allows us to push through our ideas and expectations.”
Pictured we see Tim Porter (left), alongside Chairman, Phil Thomas (centre) and co-manager, Jason Couch.
Most clubs are looking for volunteers. Find out more on the button below:
www.PitchingInVolunteers.co.ukAll the news and results in one place.
REGISTER