In our final instalment of 'The Railwaymen', Rob catches up with First Team Manager, Ian Matthews. With training being underway for a few weeks now and the green light having been provided by the FA, Ian will be leading his side for their first friendly of the pre-season campaign against Farncombe FC on Saturday afternoon.

Hi Ian, it's been a long time since we last spoke in your role as Club Secretary, there were huge positives coming out of the enforced break for the club?

"It gave us breathing space in some regards to sort out a lot of things behind the scenes we wouldn’t normally get a chance to. In the normal off season we only really have 8 weeks before we are back in preseason. Now it’s time to focus fully on getting my squad ready for the season."

And how has the start of pre-season been training-wise?

"We started much earlier than we would normally as the season was curtailed early. Players wanted to be back as long as it was safe. The pod system we adopted in the early days was actually really good. We wished we’d discovered it earlier. We’ve also beefed up the first team coaching staff with the addition of Paul Walshe. He’s running the Strength and a Conditioning side as well as the Speed, Agility and Quickness training. The players have really enjoyed it and it’s already beginning to show in their fitness levels. He also has an excellent tactical understanding and will compliment the rest of the coaching team perfectly."

Who else has made up your coaching team through preseason so far?

"The First Team consists of myself, Andrew Whitworth, Neil Winckworth and Paul Walshe. Andrew being a player himself as trained for the most part but assisted the training of the Reserve team. Christian Williams our Reserve Team Manager has been superb with the time and the sessions he has run for the First team in preseason as well."

Have there been any standout performers in the sessions?

"Most of the players who have comeback are in great shape already. A lot spent lockdown running and keeping in good shape. It’s great to see the new additions o the squad settling in well."

On Saturday you lead the side into their first friendly of the preseason campaign against Farncombe FC. Excited at seeing the work on the training field put to the test?

"Very much so. You can only train so much. Every player needs match fitness and time on the pitch to get positioning and tactical senses back. We made some shrewd additions to the squad and retained almost everyone from last year so it will be good to see how we shape up against a good outfit."

There seems to be a theme with the standard of opposition. How important was it to see how your side can match up to the higher levels of the various opposition?

"We planned for it to be tough but not impossible. We are playing some very good sides that will test us and that’s the point. Pre seasons should be designed around stretching the side to its limits. Likely we will be on the wrong side of some of the results but it’s the performances in those games that will tell us the most about our strengths and weaknesses."

With the season hopefully beginning in September, the first team are stepping into an unknown for the first time. How proud are you to be the first manager to lead the side into the top division of the West Sussex Football League?

"Extremely proud, it’s not how any of us would have wanted to be put into the top flight. That being said I think we would have been there or thereabouts for promotion anyway. We were certainly in good shape in the league. We still had some challenging fixtures to go though. For the squad and I we had a 3 year target when I came in to get there and it’s great that we have achieved that goal. So much hard work has been put in from all areas to achieve this and make sure we are ready. I understand that it is going to take time now to solidify our place there before we go to the next level."

That leads us onto the next question, have you discussed your targets for this season with your side yet? What do you hop to achieve in the upcoming season?

"Consolidation is the first target. I think we are more than capable of competing in the division and would like to think we would challenge at the top end of it. There are some cracking sides in there with at least two with ambitions for County Football who unfortunately were denied this year. We will put a benchmark down halfway through preseason once the management staff have had a chance to assess the side. The next three year target is to be competing in The SCFL. It’s more than achievable."

It's great to see your ambition and forward thinking.

Who will be leading the side on the pitch in the race to achieve these targets?

"Dan Baker will lead the side. Excellent player and a great skipper. Simon and Nick will be vice captains again this year."

Do you have any final comments for the club for the season ahead?

"Just a message to all of the players across all of the sides if I may. The committees have put the building blocks in place for this club to be a real success. All of that hard work behind the scenes one needs to be paid off with performances on the pitch. We are on a great run of promotions, titles and cup wins over the last five years and it’s important that we continue that success. Off the pitch it’s easy for the players to continue to the ongoing success of the club by attending events and participating in club initiatives.

To my own side just the one word. Shape!"

Interview by Rob Chetty, 30/07/2020
Photos by Club Photographer, Jack Turner