Match Day Programme - Fulham

THE TIGERS

Programme 07

Saltdean United vs Fulham Sunday 8th January - 2:30pm KO | League

WELCOME

SALTDEAN UNITED FC

Good afternoon and Happy New Year! It seems a long time since we have been back to Hill Park, but what a game to start the new year with, Fulham!

The first team have been on a bit of a run of late, now unbeaten in our last three games which has seen us move to forth in the table. In our last two league fiixtures we have kept two clean sheets which is an excellent achievement. New signing Blair Hamilton who joined from Hastings United has started on fire and you can see her player notes in this evenings programme.

This afternoon we play Fulham who are always an excellent footballing side. We have had many great battles with them in recent seasons and today will be no different. They have also won their last three games so will come in to this game with confidence.

Our DS has had a bit of a reshuffle. Ellie Ramsauer is very busy with work commitments so steps back for the time being so Joe Mctiffen has come in to manage the girls. They are due to play Burgess Hill this afternoon and will be looking to make a fresh start with a lot of new faces.

Although you may not see too much of a change at the club, a lot of hard work is being done behind the scenes with regards to our new build. It won’t be long until the spade is in the ground and we can start seeing some real difference at Hill Park.

Enjoy the game, wrap up warm!

MANAGER

ZAK DOVE

Hello and welcome to Saltdean FC. Firstly we as a club would like to say Happy New Year, and what a year we have to look forward to. Not only plenty of football ahead, but also the ground redevelopment will really take shape, with a lot of work being done behind the scenes.

Over the festive period we as team and coaching staff have been a little quiet in terms of matches, unfortunately due to the snow prior to christmas it then meant a longer period without any games. It did allow us to get some much needed recovery for some players that were playing with knocks and niggles.

Prior to our break we as a team have been in a really good place, not only results wise but also performances were at a really high standard. We really have become comfortable and confident in the approach we have to each and every game.

As we now go into the next run of fixtures we really will be looking to hit the ground running, although a tough game to start in the shape of Fulham, it will give us a really good gauge to how competitive and demanding the rest of the season will be.

Lastly there will be some new faces entering the squad over the next few weeks, as well as some old faces that have needed time to recover from long term injuries that has meant we haven’t seen them since last season. With this we will continue to try and add to the squad and not sit and be content with what we have already achieved.

CAPTAIN’S NOTES

GEORGIA BRIDGES

So, the second half of the season starts with a game against Fulham.

It’s been great to be back at training with the girls preparing and having a laugh. We want to start this side of the season how we finished against Sutton, as we were building great momentum and performing to high standards in all areas of the pitch.

It’s rewarding as players when what you are working hard on in training starts to come to fruition on a Sunday… I’m sure the coaches feel the same.

Overall we’re a really young squad and practically started fresh at the beginning of the season so to be where we are currently in the league, in a semi final and a quarter final, really is a testament to the girls and the coaching team.

We’re not finished yet, and we’re only improving as a squad and

individuals. I’m excited to get back to it and I know the girls are.

Let’s start the year with a good performance.

rewarding as players when what

working hard

“It’s

you are

on in training starts to come to fruition on a Sunday”

GET TO KNOW BLAIR HAMILTON

Blair, you have recently signed for the Tigers before Christmas, how have you found the switch?

The switch has been a very enjoyable experience, much more so than I expected. The circumstances in which the switch came about were not great personally, I was content but not challenged at Hastings Utd and I had the opportunity to go to a club in step 3 which being an ambitious player, felt I had to explore. Although when the opportunity arose, I was never really given a chance to impress in terms of game time or even shooting drills. I then found myself clubless and after Saltdean expressed an interest in the summer, I felt there might be an opportunity to come here. Thankfully, the gaffer was on board with the idea of me coming to Saltdean and gave me a chance to come in and let me prove a point to those who didn’t give me the opportunities I thought I deserved.

Two clean sheets in two games, not a bad start! You must be pleased with your performances?

Buzzing about them to be honest, as I stated previously my clean sheet record at Hastings was outstanding but most games there there were not much of a challenge, to come in and make such a big impact has been a very good start especially the wonder saves I’ve been making which gives me lots of confidence. You can also see that my presence and ability gives the back line so much confidence and brings them up to a higher standard. Two clean sheets is just the start and hopefully we get 3 in a row today!

The league this season is very strong, a number of players are stepping down from tier 3/4 to play. We are currently sitting in forth position and unbeaten in the last three, what are your thoughts on the rest of the season?

One of the things that held me back from joining in the summer was that last season, Saltdean battled relegation. The quality of the squad has since really surprised me, we have the ability to be right up there and I think think we have every chance to kick on in the league. However, it sounds cliche but we have to just take it one game at a time and beat what’s in front of us, starting with Fulham on Sunday.

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It was a fantastic summer with the Lionesses winning the Euros! How do you think this is going to help women’s football moving forward?

Is this the time I should remind you that I’m Scottish? I was at Wembley wearing my Germany shirt! In all seriousness, even I cracked a smile when England won it, there was a wee girl sitting in front of me about 5 years old, she didn’t understand what was going on but the shine in her eyes when the lionesses won is what sport is all about. You can see attendances are up ten fold and much more girls are playing with teams sprouting up from everywhere. Everyone has truly got the women’s football buzz and that can only be good for women’s football.

You are currently taking your PHD which must take up an awful lot of time but is such an amazing achievement. How are you managing the balance with football?

Yeah it’s my full time job really, but I love it so much so I probably work far too much and hard at times. That’s where football comes in, football is my release, the one time I don’t have to think about work or personal mental health. I’m very fortunate to have a sports scholarship from the University of Brighton, and this gives me the freedom to prioritise my athletic career, within reason. I can’t thank the university enough for their support, as well my glove sponsor Luca goalkeeping for thiers also.

Who has the worst banter in the dressing room?

I reckon it should be a rock paper scissors dual between Mia and Molly for that title but I reckon they would both mess it up in some way. So I would have to give it to both. They do make me laugh though!

2022-23 FIRST TEAM SQUAD

Zak Dove Manager

Charlotte Lewington Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Blair Hamilton Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Alessia Ciocan Sponsored by

Megan Gates Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Tom Saunters Assistant Manager

Georgia Bridges Sponsored by Jan & Iain Fielding

Molly Hill Sponsored by Stuart @ Merrie Harriera

Lillian Tucker Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Mia Hyland Sponsored by Impetus

Ruby Atkins Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Evie Nebbitt Sponsored by Impetus

Amy Sinden Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Maya Pritchard Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Hannah Sturdy Sponsored by APAN Construction

Leyla Yahioglu Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Catherine Hann Sponsored by AVAILABLE

Naomi Robinson Sponsored by Simon Roe

Faye Williams Sponsored by BW Sports Therapy

Betsy Routledge Sponsored by Held Trading

Ruby Melis Sponsored by Propellernet Ltd

Sienna Howell Sponsored by AVAILABLE

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