The big man just couldn’t say No
26 Jul 2012

New Eastenders boss Sean McLaughlin admits the chance “to try and steer the club back to familiar waters” was one he couldn’t turn down.

In his first match programme notes, ahead of upcoming friendlies against Sculcoates Amateurs and the East Riding County FA Juniors, ‘The Sumo’ says “the desire to see the club do well was too strong”.

While acknowledging elsewhere the work put in by his predecessor, McLaughlin states his view that the “smiling” attitude that had helped take the club “from the basement of the East Riding County League to tenth spot in the Central Midlands League” seemed “sadly missing” at times last season.

He also expresses his pleasure at the way pre-season training has gone and says he wants his team to “start with a fresh slate and a fresh purpose”.

Having inherited a young squad, McLaughlin’s first side to take the field in pre-season (at Crown on Tuesday) included only three players over 23 years of age.  It’s a fact he sees real positives in.

He writes, “I want to see us play passing football with the lack of fear that youth brings, work hard to win possession back when lost and – above all – appreciate the efforts being put in by our fellow players” before adding, “If we do this, the fun times will come back and success will not be far behind”.

The full version of the new manager’s first piece, along with notes from new skipper Jamie Cousins, the thoughts of Reserves manager Gavin Thurkettle and plenty of other good stuff, can be found in the new-look 32-page match programme, which goes on sale on Saturday, priced £2.00.