Players will get their kicks from camaraderie and team spirit both on and off the pitch as Westmorland League football kicks off.
That is the belief of managers and players alike as they prepare for what they hope will be a disruption-free season.
In the first of a three-part preview, representatives of Division I clubs have shared their hopes and expectations with the Herald:
At Shap, Pete Fraser is in charge while goalkeeper Graham Thompson coaches the team in training.
“After two seasons of disruption due to COVID and stop-start football matches, the lads are looking forward not only to playing on a regular basis but also to picking up with the social side of grassroots football,” said Fraser.
“This has been massively missing in the last two seasons as players have turned up in their kit, played the match and gone home.
“We all want to win but as one of my sons (Tim Fraser) said recently ‘we shouldn’t forget we do this for enjoyment and the camaraderie and social well-being that grassroots football brings’. This has been a huge miss — probably more than the football itself.”
Mark Bell, manager of newly-crowned Westmorland FA Benevolent Trophy-winning Penrith AFC Reserves, cast an eye on the longer-term future of the club.
“First and foremost we’re looking forward to getting a full season in without any interruptions due to COVID,” said Bell — who will be assisted by Liam Byrne and Mark Raffel — “and, as part of the football club, looking to progress players.
“The aim is to do better this season on the pitch and, off the pitch, trying to get players to progress through the (club’s) Academy, through the Reserves and hopefully into the first team. That’s our job and our aim.”
Appleby AFC’s first XI won the 2020-21 High Sheriff’s Cup and manager Steve Wharton — who is assisted by Paul “Bob” Kinnear — spoke of a “competitive” pre-season ahead of the new campaign.
“It was good to get back involved last season but it wasn’t the same,” he admitted.
“There was no social interaction with the opposition; it was just a case of getting out and doing something. This season, hopefully, will be a bit more straightforward.”
The more usual after-match social side, said Wharton, was “massive to us”. “We’ve been together for quite a few years now, and that’s what it’s all about,” he explained.
“Ninety minutes of hard work and then a few beers, not just with our squad but also with the opposition; just having a crack. It’s the banter that we’re looking forward to.”
Kirkoswald are searching for a new first team manager after Craig Simpson’s resignation.
But skipper Niall Renwick said: “The lads are looking forward to getting going again as over the last year or so it’s been stop and start due to COVID.
“The squad have high expectations for the coming season as the whole team know what we are capable of and, as captain, I’m looking forward to leading the team as much as possible to a successful season.“
Keswick first team have a new man in charge with prolific striker Richard Bannister becoming player-manager.
Eddie Thomson and Stephen Hindmarch stepped down from first XI duties at the end of a COVID-affected 2020-21 campaign.
By late June there were no volunteers, so former Workington AFC front man Bannister, 29, stepped up. He will be helped by coach Mike Frampton and assistant Stephen Cole.
“Pre-season started well with numbers and it’s been a healthy finish. The lads are all excited and buzzing for the football to start — the attitude that’s been missing the past two seasons,” said Bannister, whose rein starts at home to Kirkby Stephen.
“We will take each game as it comes, hopefully be up there come May and in a final or two. My main aim is to get the lads back wanting to play football and enjoying it at the same time; build on a good atmosphere and let the ball do the talking.
“We can all see light at the end of the tunnel now and Saturday football looks to be returning to normality.”
Carl Watson, manager of Kirkby Stephen, said: “The lads are looking forward to the new season. Football is so important and promotes the mental wellbeing for many after such a tough year.
“Our aim is to bring through our good youth players into the first team and have a solid season in a tough Division I.”
