Welcome everyone to the second installment of my drumbeat, two months into the season and the landscape has changed somewhat so here’s what been happening from my perspective, settle down and grab a brew as we don’t rest much…

Let’s start on the pitch and with the 1st team who currently sit 12th of 18 with a game in hand on most teams and having played only 4 of the 12 at home to which we remain unbeaten. I truly believe the standings are a bit of a false picture currently and no-ones panicking regarding where the team is for sure. For those who have traveled away with the team you’re probably a little jaded after each journey with only trips to Stockport and Wolverhampton yielding points but we implore you to keep on following, the team will start to click once consistency on availability and individual errors are ironed out. I also feel there has been a learning curve amongst the players who have stepped up from step 7 football, and who are not used to playing regular midweek fixtures, now we have the week long gaps in fixtures (other than two weeks) I would certainly expect to see consistency in performances improve. As I said a key focus for the team has been removing individual errors and that showed no more than Shawbury away in the Vase last Saturday where performance levels weren’t as good as other games but the team knew a large away support was behind them and they dug in, and ground out a gutsy 1-0 win, huge congratulations and thank you to Kieran and Daz for guiding the team in Daws and Bens absence and we’re looking forward to them keeping that 100% record in tact this weekend…no pressure! A great quote I love is “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog”. I’ve no doubt this will become a strength of this club going forward but a good marker has been made in our first two months.

Our Development team have unfortunately been hit hard by the delays on the floodlights, with a number of their home Monday night games having to be postponed, I will come back to the floodlights but firstly a massive well done to Vesty, Nige, JT and Liner who have all pulled together and not only ensured the side doesn’t lose momentum but proactively strengthened the squad and culture within the team. Three losses on the road certainly doesn’t tell the full story and the one game I have managed to take in away to Harborough Town was very even in the first half and the ingredients are all there for this young side to flourish. The lads have a great team spirit and they have 2 home fixtures at the back end of October I absolutely encourage you to come down and watch. A handful of these lads have the potential to reach our 1st team and progress beyond, I really do believe that. We will also ensure the first home game for the side is free entry on the Monday night so a no brainer to get your football fix that week.

Behind the scenes… lets start with the floodlights and in the last update I said a planning application was live and we expected to have shovels in the ground early September, well that obviously hasn’t been the case. Planning was approved on August 12th but we’ve had one or two issues since. The cabling between the lights now has to be fully replaced and the existing foundations slightly amended, which has ultimately led to the delay. At the moment the work is scheduled for w/c Oct 14th and a deposit has been paid so I’m willing to put my neck on the line and say no later than the end of October, 4 new complete floodlight structures will be in place and in operation at our ground. The perimeter barrier will also be done in conjunction with the floodlight work and is targeted for completion by the end of October also. The ground will look a different place once both of these are in place so it really is an exciting time to see tangible change.
Who aren’t a part of the club anymore is the ladies team who have moved on to form a team as Prees Ladies, and who have had a great start to their season so we wish them all the best and good luck in their new home. Our ambitions weren’t aligned amongst the coaching staff and with the club struggling for volunteers it was certainly best for all parties to call it a day. You can catch them at Prees rec on a Sunday at 2pm for their home fixtures if you get chance.
Myself and Alex Dobson attended an FA club development meeting last night so there is so much that we’re both looking into for the future of the club, more teams, more community work, more funding opportunities, and more strategic planning to make the club future proof and sustainable at Step 5, which is our medium to long term aim. Linked to our own clubs growth there is currently a feasibility study in progress on the whole Greenfields site, which is being carried out by the MDSA and their partners, this has gained significant traction and headlines with the recent visit by Helen Morgan MP, and this kind of support for action we hope will finally make councillors at Shropshire Council and Market Drayton Town Council sit up and stop neglecting sport in Market Drayton!
We go on and on about volunteers and how vital they are but this should never be forgotten: Liner, Alex, Roy, Kaz, Roanna, JT, Korin, Nick, Lucy, Neil, Nige, Dan, Joy, Alan all are unsung heros and I thank them again for their support and hard work. You may have seen our recent advert for volunteers which went unanswered, therefore we’re once again speaking to local universities and colleges to offer roles and skills experience in the areas of the club we’re short. Again if anyone wants to become involved we fully welcome any ability, age, creed into the fold as we try to grow. Our first fundraising night is soon upon us also. Two weeks today a live band night at the Legion in Drayton has been arranged so grab your tickets from either the legion, MDTFC or MD Tigers as Nick, Roy, Korin, Lisa and Amy have been working tirelessly to arrange a great night which will support both clubs this season.
Onto this weekends game where we visit Abbey Hulton at 3pm tomorrow. Abbey have had a good start to the season but like everyone some inconsistent results have meant they’re currently lying in 7th. We know they’re there for the taking if we turn up, so here’s hoping that vital bit of momentum and learnings from Shawbury brings about a change in fortunes on our travels, good luck to the lads as always.