FROM THE BOARDROOM

CHRIS WHITE

A warm welcome to all of you this evening, particularly the officials, players and supporters who have made the journey up the A3057 from Romsey, and also to our own supporters whose encouragement during this rather stuttering start to our season is much admired and appreciated.

Regarding our current position in the League 1 table, different people react differently to certain situations.

Some struggle to stay positive when things are not going as well as they would like, whereas others are able to take setbacks in their stride.

I always aim to place myself in the latter camp but I can understand both points of view. Defeats on the pitch may hurt us in the short term but the prizes are only awarded at the end of the season.

If Mo Farah was near the rear of the field after three-and-a-half laps of a 10,000m race (approximately the distance we’ve travelled so far this season) then that would not be as much of a concern as if he were near the back after 25 laps.

We can’t always lead from the front and we’ve convinced that our team will come good given patience and support. By rising up through the field maybe our journey is destined to become that little bit more exciting!

It maybe a long and arduous battle but nothing worth achieving comes easily. It does, however, become easier if we all see it through together.

Tonight’s re-arranged game is an opportunity to build on the victory last Tuesday but it won’t be easy against a very good Romsey side.

Enjoy tonight’s game and I wish you all a safe journey home and I hope to see once again soon.

JAMIE COLEMAN

Good afternoon and welcome to our first home game of the season. These are my first programme notes for the new season and both myself and JC will look to give you insight from the coach’s perspective this season.

Having been out of the game for a few years I was tempted back into football by the club’s structure, ambition and passion for playing football the right way. Joining a management team with a wealth of Wessex League and local football experience was a no brainier for me, their vision to develop the players at the club through quality coaching session’s fits perfectly with my coaching philosophy.

Working with Jamie and Thomo on the training ground, we are bringing in professional practices to take the club to the next level, this includes performance analysis thanks to VEO (video footage), psychological techniques and player plans to improve game day performance and player confidence. I was tempted back into football by the club’s structure, ambition and passion for playing football the right way.

It has been one of the strangest preseasons I have ever run, training in small socially distanced bubbles with no contact play definitely posed a challenge for the coaching staff and club. The players adapted well and committed fully to the challenging situation. We focused on the technical side of the game and the quality of our ball work and movement until a relax in government rules allowed contact play. The managers put in place an extremely challenging pre-season fixture list which tested the squad physically and mentally, putting them in great shape for the season start on the 5th.

We have a great squad at the club that are all keen to learn and improve, and a very strong Swifts squad with a few youngsters knocking at the door of the first team. Our focus now switches to the Wessex Division One campaign and making sure we start in the right way. An excellent 2 nil win away at Newport in our opener is just reward for everyone's efforts during preseason. We are hoping to build some momentum and get into that winning habit against Petersfield, they will obviously be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat so we are anticipating a highly competitive game.

POSITION: DEFENDER | AGE: 29 STAUS: SIGNED AFTER LEAVING ANDOVER TOWN

HE SAID: “It’s a club I’ve been with since the age of 15, growing up in the reserves and then progressing into the first team. When I left last season I thought it was the right decision as I feel the time away has made me a better player. After speaking to John and Danny and seeing the calibre of signings coming in helped massively with my decision. ” DANNY FIELD

POSITION: DEFENDER | AGE: 27 STAUS: SIGNED AFTER LEAVING BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS

HE SAID: “I decided to return to New Street because it’s my local club and after a few seasons away I wanted to get back enjoying my football again. John and Danny have a good setup here and the club is certainly heading in the right direction.”

Are You A Street Fan? Then Come And Join Us!

Andover New Street Social Club Membership Benefits include: Reduced Admission to First Team Home Matches Entry to ANS Swifts & ANS Ladies Home Matches Use of facilities at Foxcotte Park at Discounted Rates Reduced bar prices for drinks Annual membership costs start from £15 For more information contact a club representative or email: andovernewstreetfc@hotmail.co.uk