Tuesday 10th June 2008

THE BOSS HAS A MESSAGE FOR THE FANS...

It's been a difficult time for us since the end of the season with six of our senior players leaving for pastures new.

On one hand we feel disappointed that the successful and close-knit team that we had has broken up so quickly, but we can also be proud of the fact that so many of our players have been able to step up a league - it's just a pity that it wasn't with us.

However, we move on and face the challenge of building another successful team at Rocester, and make no mistake we are determined to do so.

The first piece of good news we had was Martin Gadsby's decision to stay with us. He has come of age as a player over the last six months and I am very pleased to announce that he has accepted the offer of captaining the team next season.

As well as Martin, the majority of last season's squad will be back with us for the new season which is great news, and gives us plenty of quality in all areas from which to build.

As you would expect, the business of attracting players to the club is very competitive at the moment. Every manager is out and about looking to improve their team, and I have been speaking to too many players to mention with a view to bringing our squad back up to strength.

To try and put you all in the picture, discussions with several players are still ongoing while others I have spoken to want to keep their options open for as long as they can. However quite a few have agreed to join us for pre-season training to take a look at us, and some have said they are definitely going to sign.

For obvious reasons I cannot name some of them at this stage, but following on from the announcement earlier in the week when we listed 19 players, I am able to tell you that two more names can be added to the list - and in light of Dave Shaw's departure I'm pleased to say that they are both attacking players!

Jordi Gough, who played very well against us last season for Stapenhill is one, and the other is Tom Duff - an exciting young player from the Stafford area who I have heard some very good reports about.

So despite several players leaving us there is still much to look forward to at Hillsfield.  We are being run properly by people who care, we have a sound financial footing from which to build, we have a new youth team that will provide us with some of the best local talent in years to come, and everyone is working really hard behind the scenes to bring more success to Rocester Football Club.

My message to you is simple; stay positive and stay with us. I am convinced that we will come through this a much better and stronger club, we are a club with a very bright future.

Swanny