Jimmy Williams firmly has his feet under the table at The Colls, as first team manager, and has been busy assembling his backroom staff and playing squad for the coming season.
We spoke with Jimmy to discuss taking over his home-town side, the nature of a non league preseason and preparations for the new season.
After what must have been a busy start to life in hot seat, tell us first of all how pleased you are to be leading your hometown team?
To be leading my home-town club it’s a very special and proud moment, as well as a privilege to be given the opportunity from the board. It’s a fantastic opportunity to start my young management career, the last two weeks have been a very busy period in trying to put the foundations in for a successful upcoming season.
You’ve clearly moved quickly to ensure a large base of last year’s team were secured for 24/25, how happy have you been – to be able to secure the lads you have?
There’s a large proportion of the squad retained and it was key to keep the leaders and the core of the squad that gave us success last year. I’m very happy with the players I’ve retained, im not going to lie the phones been non stop these last couple of weeks, it’s been hard work, and there will be some new faces joining the squad in the next couple of weeks!
With a good range of teams scheduled in preseason, what will you be looking for as we approach the 24/25 season kick off?
We will be aiming to play seven games in pre season all different opponents at different levels, which will give me the opportunity to have a good look at some players coming in on trial. Also to try out things we will be working on in training in the lead up to games – such as new set pieces, patterns of play, and exciting attacking football with plenty of goals, just what the fans want to see!
As a whole I’m looking forward to the challenge, I’m buzzing and can’t wait to get going when pre season starts at the end of June.
As a club we will be revealing our preseason schedule in the coming days.