The manager Talks
10 March 2006

This week, Dave Usborne of www.southparkrangers.com talks to Paul Edwards, manager of an under 13s side on the verge of promotion.

Dave Usborne: How would you sum up the season so far?

Paul Edwards: When we played in the pre-season tournament at Aylesford back in September we looked unfit, disorganised and in some respects disinterested making the season ahead look like a long and daunting prospect. However we kicked off the league season with a 12-2 win over Hollingbourne and have gone from strength to strength such that with 3 games remaining we are currently 3rd in the league and still in with a chance of claiming 2nd place. At times this season our football has been brilliant with the whole team wanting to pass the ball and work for each other. The 2-0 win over Holtwood, 2-1 win over Staplehurst and 7-3 win against Aylesford were probably the highlights. In the Aylesford game we had 7 different goalscorers! The only real disappointment was the quarter-final cup exit to Aylesford who we beat twice in the league.

DU: So what has been the difference from last season?

PE: The main difference this year has been the attitude of the players. At training they have shown a desire to work hard, to learn and to take on new information and ideas. They have accepted that they have now reached an age where the days of everybody getting a game are behind us and that only those who really want to play will get their chance. This has produced great competition for places in the team with no room for complacency. The extra, Saturday morning training has also helped as it allows us to work on things that aren't possible at Armstrong Road.

DU: How have the new players in your squad adapted?

PE: Mark Brown has been an absolute rock for us in defence and has made us look so much more secure at the back. He reads the game very well and his decision making is excellent. Craig Roach has played in midfield and as a striker and currently heads our scoring charts with 18 goals. Both players have settled into the team very well and have brought the best out of our existing players. The team is now benefiting from several years of stability with Marcus Edwards, Ryan Brunton, Sam Hubbard and Luke Collins all having passed the 100 appearances landmark.

DU: How much do you value the support you get in running the team?

PE: There is so much more to managing and running a team than just picking 11 players on a Sunday morning and thankfully the current U13's is a very well supported team. We have our 'social' team of Sharon and Tina with Mark King as our parent/liaison person. Josh Young is our regular referee, ably assisted on the 'flag' by Mick Louth, Dick Deane and Tim Boyd (with others from time to time). Debbie Brunton rounds up the Player of the Match voting each week and Alison & Jade Young provide half-time oranges (and the occasional coffee!) Goff Collins is always there with the thankless task of taking the nets down. I am most grateful to all these people, together with our long-suffering band of supporters for their backing and assistance. Last, but by no means least, is our coach/assistant manager John Hubbard. John regularly has to take training when I'm stuck on M25 and has to suffer my states of depression when things haven't gone well. The state of the pitch at Oakwood this year has also brought out the best in John's gardening skills!

Whatever happens in the remaining games this has been the best season ever for this particular set of players and everybody associated with the club should be very proud of what they have achieved.

The Manager Talks Index
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