Wed 10th July 2019 | Cheadle Heath Nomads | By Craig Kendall
Andy Gray has just completed his first full season at Cheadle Heath Nomads, and after finishing 9th in the standings in the NWCFL First Division South the 55-year-old was relatively pleased with how the season panned out.
"If anyone had offered me a 9th place at the start of the season I would have taken it. Considering it's our first ever season at this level of football we have done well to be in the top half, but having played all the teams I think we let ourselves down in several games which cost us valuable places in the table.
"We were competitive in the majority of the games we played and the players that we had pushed themselves hard to give us a chance in most games but physical and mental fatigue cost us in the middle of the season. We started and finished the season strong and if we can keep that going throughout the full season then we will give ourselves a chance to be in the mix come the end of the campaign."
"We need to learn from the mistakes we made last season and understand how to manage games better. We had a spell when we were in control of games but switched off and it cost us points. If we are to kick on again as a club we need to understand how to use the squad to get the best out of the players.
"We have kept the majority of last seasons squad, which is important to us as a club, and are adding quality players to that squad in an effort to become more competitive on all fronts. I have purposefully looked for a tough pre-season campaign where we play 5 games against NWCFL Premier, EvoStik, National League and Football League clubs to celebrate the clubs Centenary but also to provide the toughest possible challenge to our players.
"Our final game is against a Cheshire league team but it is by no means a gimme, the team is well backed and organised by ex-football league players and coaches with experience at a higher level. Like most teams, we are looking for a good solid start to the season and hopefully set ourselves up for a successful campaign but this is possibly the closest of all the division as last season showed. Any team can take points of any other if the approach is not correct so we have to use our squad wisely.
"I want the club to get as high as it can in the football pyramid. This is a community club that is run by a handful of overworked volunteers and the setup is such that it deserves the best level of football it can. Personally, I am enjoying being in charge of the team and watching it grow, as long as I can help these players to progress and enjoy their football, and as long as the chairman wants me around, I will continue to work hard and do what I can to help the club move on.
"With the club celebrating its Centenary this season we have several high profile pre season fixtures as I've already mentioned. In order for us to progress we need to try and encourage as many people as possible to come through the gates and support the club and for that to happen we need to play attractive football and also pick up points where possible. So our emphasis will be on entertainment but our focus will be on points."
Wed 10th July 2019 | Cheadle Heath Nomads By Craig Kendall
Andy Gray has just completed his first full season at Cheadle Heath Nomads, and after finishing 9th in the standings in the NWCFL First Division South the 55-year-old was relatively pleased with how the season panned out.
"If anyone had offered me a 9th place at the start of the season I would have taken it. Considering it's our first ever season at this level of football we have done well to be in the top half, but having played all the teams I think we let ourselves down in several games which cost us valuable places in the table.
"We were competitive in the majority of the games we played and the players that we had pushed themselves hard to give us a chance in most games but physical and mental fatigue cost us in the middle of the season. We started and finished the season strong and if we can keep that going throughout the full season then we will give ourselves a chance to be in the mix come the end of the campaign."
"We need to learn from the mistakes we made last season and understand how to manage games better. We had a spell when we were in control of games but switched off and it cost us points. If we are to kick on again as a club we need to understand how to use the squad to get the best out of the players.
"We have kept the majority of last seasons squad, which is important to us as a club, and are adding quality players to that squad in an effort to become more competitive on all fronts. I have purposefully looked for a tough pre-season campaign where we play 5 games against NWCFL Premier, EvoStik, National League and Football League clubs to celebrate the clubs Centenary but also to provide the toughest possible challenge to our players.
"Our final game is against a Cheshire league team but it is by no means a gimme, the team is well backed and organised by ex-football league players and coaches with experience at a higher level. Like most teams, we are looking for a good solid start to the season and hopefully set ourselves up for a successful campaign but this is possibly the closest of all the division as last season showed. Any team can take points of any other if the approach is not correct so we have to use our squad wisely.
"I want the club to get as high as it can in the football pyramid. This is a community club that is run by a handful of overworked volunteers and the setup is such that it deserves the best level of football it can. Personally, I am enjoying being in charge of the team and watching it grow, as long as I can help these players to progress and enjoy their football, and as long as the chairman wants me around, I will continue to work hard and do what I can to help the club move on.
"With the club celebrating its Centenary this season we have several high profile pre season fixtures as I've already mentioned. In order for us to progress we need to try and encourage as many people as possible to come through the gates and support the club and for that to happen we need to play attractive football and also pick up points where possible. So our emphasis will be on entertainment but our focus will be on points."
