Welcome back folks.It really has been a quick 11 weeks since my end of season notes but we find ourselves staring at another exciting 9 months of football once again.

 

A lot has developed during the summer and I'm not totally convinced we have had a break at all!!

 

A new era will start upon us with Chris Goodchild succeeding Ben Blades as our First team manager.

 

Chris who comes from Ipswich, has played at a high level in both the SIL for Brantham Athletic,East Bergolt,Ipswich Exiles and Henley Athletic and in the Essex and Suffolk Border league with Little Oakley and Eight Ash Green.In recent seasons,Chris has managed and run the Brewers Arms Sunday side and has achieved two successful promotions with the Ipswich based side and raised a lot of money for the club.He took a year out last season and was looking this term to get back into management and felt he needed a new challenge.He replied to our advert for a first team manager and after a couple of interviews with him,was given the number 1 post.

 

Joining him as his assistant is Tom Heath.Chris wanted someone within the club to assist him with a little back ground knowlwdge.A go between if you like between,player and manager and to be honest,I think he will suit perfect to the role.Magic himself applied for the number 1 position but by large majority opinion it was felt Tom can still play and learn in this managerial role at the same time by being his number 2.

 

It has been a huge decision for the club to make this appointment.It was a slightly uneasy few weeks to be honest, until the decision was made but I am pleased to say that both Chris and Tom have conducted pre-season with such organisation and enthusiasm that we needn't have been concerned as they looked to have struck up an instant partnership already that will take us positively into the new season.

 

I am pleased to announce also,that Ian Price is continuing in his reserve manager role.Pricey has been a huge success and to keep him in charge of the second string has been a massive lift.He will again target promotion out of division 6 and of course help to improve the already blossoming young pricey's fledglings!!!! Mark Rourke has stepped down as his number 2 and has been replaced by Tim Churchyard,the one and only quarterback!!

 

A couple of players have left the club,Jake Carroll has left for Saxmundham Sports while sadly,Shane Buzzard has decided to hang up his boots.Shane has been a great warrior for the team in his time,leading out the team as captain in the first year and putting in endless tackles ever since,he will be a big miss for the club and our thanks go to him for his services

 

New players joining include,ATFC top scorer Jack Carroll returning from a short spell with Saxmundham,Will Stephenson and Chris Palmer from Woodbridge Town,Adam Phillips from nearby Sizewell Associates and maybe a couple more but at the present time,I'm not allowed to say who!!

 

Pre-season friendlies have gone really well.Chris and Tom's first team lost 3-1 to Ipswich Exiles in the first game despite playing really well but have followed this up with 4 victories over AFC Crowley 2-0,Willis 5-1,Wenhaston Reserves 3-1 and finally Framlingham Town Reserves 4-2.

 

Ian and Tim's second string started out with a 6-3 defeat against div 4 side AFC Hoxne,a 4-2 win against Witnesham Wasps,a 3-1 loss over at Sproughton and a great 3-3 performance against a very good Snape Sunday side rounding their games off.

 

A big well done to both sets of managers for getting through these games,trying to organise teams during the summer is never easy but they have both managed to produce some really good performances despite not always having the players available.Lets hope we can continue this form into the new season which starts tommorow.The First Team entertain AFC Crowley Reserves at HQ while the Reserves travel over to Old Newton.

 

Finally a few congratulations to our ATFC players during the summer when Alan Cooney and Andy Vincent both got married (not to each other I should add) and Phil Grimwood becoming a father for the first time and to Stuart and Lorraine for adding young Lilly to the Atkins family.

 

Up the Swans live the dream

 

Forthcoming fixtures:

 

Saturday August 27th ATFC V AFC Crowley Reserves Home Kick Off 2:30pm

                                 Old Newton A V ATFC Reserves Away Kick Off 2:30pm

 

Saturday September 3rd ATFC V Stowupland Falcons Home Kick Off 2:30pm

                                     Willis Reserves V ATFC Reserves Away Kick Off 2:30pm