Pre-season 2011/12

Pre-season training starts on Sunday 17 July @ 10.45

There’s a few changes to previous years, so bear with me and I’d appreciate your eyes moving across these words that I have written.

Wonga
Sponsors of Blackpool FC and a little bit of what I'll need from you. The league and county affiliation won't pay itself and nor will new footballs. A bitch, I know. But as Lord Sugar will tell you, these are hard economic times. So the damage is £20 for your season subscription. Without it, you won't play. Firm but fair, I think. You should provide the club with this by the end of July. Pay this into the club's account using the account number and sort code and once paid, email, text or inform me verbally that it's been done.

Account number: 31084923
Sort code: 560046

A new dawn! Not as bright as Dawn…
First, training will now take place next to Warlingham green. This is the green between Redvers, Leas and Westhall Road, Warlingham. It's down the road from Sanderstead rec., close to Trenham and in turn, close to Shelton. Click here for a map. There’s a few reasons for this: It’s less busy than Sanderstead, it’s easier to park (on both surrounding side roads Leas and Redvers), it’s flatter and the grass gets regularly cut. For public transport fans, the 403 bus still stops next to it and Upper Warlingham and Whyteleafe train stations are close by. If it causes problems, we can always move back, but I am confident it won’t. It's all round better.

Training days and times
Sundays at 10.45 (in Warlingham) and Wednesday’s at 19.30 (at Croydon Sports Club/High, Old Farleigh Road, CR2 8YB). Get there at these times so we can kick off on time and get going. If it takes you 15 minutes to lace up your boots, walk from your car, or change your nappy on arrival, please arrive at 10.45 and 19.30 respectively, in order to cover it and then we can get things going swiftly. I don’t want to stand around waiting 20-30 minutes for people because they’re being lazy. Sorry, but it’s really annoying.

Let me know your availability
The days/times are set out and I will assume you are available to attend unless I hear otherwise. If you cannot attend, please let me know. It means I am not expecting any non-attendees to arrive on the day and it also helps me keep track of the number of attendees and prepare the session better.

Moving to Croydon High
Wednesday 17 August.

Moving to Thursday’s
Big clubs like Manchester United often play Champions League fixtures on Wednesday’s. Other clubs sometimes play Premier League games on this day too and the feedback I’ve had over the years is to avoid this clash. So in September, mid-week training will move to Thursday’s again.

The away leg in Nottingham
Stage hotel in Nottingham booked for overnight trip on Saturday 3 September.

Dedication, preparation and recognisation
That third word rhymed. I had no other reason to include it. But the point was, that we have an ever increasing squad and can expect a couple of players back from injury and leave this season, so I urge everyone to attend as many sessions as possible and to give 100% at each to give yourself and the team a chance when the season starts in September. We had some painfully close results last season which we need to turn around and I think with good practice and preparation we can do that. I hope to organise sessions that people can enjoy and practice different drills to keep things fresh, all for the good of the team so that we can get the most fun out of our football next season.