For any fans of Havant and Waterlooville last season is one in which they will want to etch from their minds forever. However after a shock relegation to the Ryman Football League, the Hawks fans and players alike expect and demand one thing and one thing only… Promotion.
During the off-season period Westleigh Park has been a hive of activity as players were directed in and out of the Hawks’ double doors. On the way out one of the clubs most loved players Scott Donnelly and in came Bognor’s Matt Prior. Then came the return to Ryan Woodford as he left rivals Gosport.
Following the club allowing Hawks FM radio station into the first training session of the season the feeling inside the dressing room was rather upbeat and the focus on the Hawks retaining their National League South status was clear to see.
New signing Jason Prior said that the players will need to “knuckle down and work hard” as the club try to achieve promotion to the 6th tier of English Football. And as far as personal targets go he said “30 goals” and admitted “anything more than that is a bonus”.
Also speaking to Les Hyson was Ryan Woodford who admitted that “targets haven’t been discussed yet”. He did however say that the squad “is a National League south squad” and said the players will “see what they can do”. For some players it will be a case of adjusting to a new level for Dan Strugnell he was rooted to the ground and not getting carried away saying that the Hawks will “just do what they can”.
One of the few positives coming from relegation is the chance to give young talents a go and for 17 year old Alfy Whittingham he has this chance at the Hawks. Jason Prior described him as “one of the best 17 year olds in Non-league”. However he wants to push for a place in the first team and talking to Les he said that “the gaffer (Lee Bradbury) wants to put me on loan but I want to play in the 1st team”. His ambition is to “break into the 1st team in the next two weeks”.
So from an early stance it looks like a side who are down to earth and not getting carried away with their favorites tag to go up and young players hungry to try and break into the first team. The first opportunity to impress is on Saturday against Moneyfields at 3:00. You can catch this and most games this season (depending on club rules) on Hawks FM.
By Henry Deacon
03/07/16 at 17:25
Henry Deacon Media 