After what seems like only yesterday we travelled home from East Thurrock with out National League South status in tact we’re on the eve of another campaign.

A lot of new people that have joined the club over the course of a challenging summer. Kevin Watson brings a wealth of experience and joins my coaching team as assistant manager alongside Jeremy Newton.

Our Physio went onto pastures new so the knowledgeable April Symes has joined us from Cinderford Rugby club.

On the playing side pre season has been nothing short of a challenge. I’m working to a strict budget which I can not and will not go over. We’ve had many trialists come and go, players from last season verbally agree deals then 24 hours later go back on that agreement, offers turned down.

I’ve tried to find the right player for this club and me as this is my team. Most importantly is we can’t pay players a fortune like previous seasons so there’s not one player in my squad that’s here for the money.

Our current playing staff is as follows:

Jokull Andresson (loan from Reading)
Marcus Johnson Schuester
Tommy Cooney
Matt Jones
Marvel Ekpiteta
James Rusby
Charlie Ten Grotenhuis
Richie Whittingham
Alfy Whittingham
Tommy Ouldridge
Dan Bailey
Romone Rose
Alex Fragata
Conor Lynch
Harvey Bradbury (loan from Watford)
Ian Herring

I’ve asked James Rusby to be our club captain for 18/19 along with Marcus Johnson Schuester as Vice Captain. Both players lead by example and have a winning mentality.

I’m still in the process of recruiting players to join our squad. I’ll only bring in players who I deem good enough to join our group.

We’re a young, energetic, group with bags of ability and talent. We’ll keep improving individually and as a team. We’re going into this season with nothing to fear and will work as hard as we possibly can for our wonderful little club whilst enjoying it along the way!

I’ve surrounded myself with positive people as I’m a firm believer in negativity helps no one. As supporters I appreciate every single one who has supported me and the club in my playing and managerial capacities to date.

I’ve managed to secure a partnership with a charity website called IVF Babble. This is a cause close to my heart and why the pineapples will be on our kit for 18/19.

We’re not a club blessed with many volunteers or paid employees. The ones we do have work extremely hard behind the scenes to help run this football club alongside running own businesses.

Are there things we can improve, of course, but there’s only so much the same volunteers can do. Do we need more help...... 100% YES. If anyone would like to help with, fund raising events, maintaining the ground, updating the website, kitman or many other roles please get in contact and you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

We have lots of suggestions of what we should and could be doing. Why not help out? There’s opportunities for anyone to make a difference/improvement to your football club!

When our alarms go in the morning all the talking stops....... GAME DAY. We travel to St Albans for what we all do it for!

We’ll be wearing our new kit for the first time. I’ve managed to secure a partnership with a charity website called IVF Babble. This is a cause close to my heart and why the pineapples will be on our kit for 18/19. Details of how to purchase replica shirts will be released shortly.

This season we’ll need togetherness more than ever! Board members, Staff, Players and most importantly......... Supporters! We are Hungerford Town! I look forward to seeing as many people as possible at St Albans and again on Tuesday for our first home game!

Thanks

Ian Herring
#jointhecrusade #ivfstrongertogether