As the new manager of Haddenham Utd, I have been asked to write a monthly article in keeping with the previous management and I feel it is a great opportunity to let everyone know my thoughts on the club, the players and the season ahead, which may not have otherwise been heard.

Haddenham Utd are one of the biggest village club sides in the local area and it was an honour to be offered the position of manager for this season. The club has a great committee, with good facilities, and the welcome has been very friendly, so it did not take me long to make up my mind into leaving the Royal Oak FC, where we had a great deal of success over the last 7 years, and try my hand managing at a higher level, while also giving me the opportunity to coach and ‘persuade!’ players to play my style of football.

Unfortunately, we hit an immediate problem, and one that I still feel very disappointed with. A promise was made before I took the job at Haddenham, that none of the previous management were going to take jobs elsewhere, and therefore I would have a full squad to work with while bringing in a few of my own players to compliment the team. This turned out to be untrue (nothing to do with Haddenham committee), and so it seems I was left with 3 of the original first team and needed to bring in a further 15 to complete my squad this year.

There is however no point dwelling on what could have been and I have been working hard to convince players of the potential at Haddenham and the future at the club, and am pleased to say we have had a great response. Turnout at training has been fantastic and a special mention must go out to the reserve lads who have been fully committed. I now have a first team squad of 15 players and we are just waiting on a couple more that are looking at the club, so the future would appear good.

This season we will be playing in the ADL Premier League and although some people have doubted the sense in this decision and feel we should have started in a higher league, I personally feel it is the right one for me and the club. It takes time to get a settled team and for everyone in the club to learn what is required of them and to work smoothly alongside each other, so this way we all have a year to prepare for the future. It is my view that we should be aiming for promotion to the Hellenic and I believe, in the players we have at the club, we can now do it.

So to finish I wish to thank everyone for their welcome to the club and the players who have supported me, both first and reserve, with their commitment in turning up to training and signing on. I am 100% committed into making this club successful and I hope that you will all do the same.

Training is every Wednesday 7pm. All players, new and old, are welcome.

Kevin Poole
First Team Manager