This was originally published in the Westfield programme but as the game was postponed we felt it was important to share them here;
The last few days have been overwhelming for me, I can’t express enough in words my gratitude to everyone that has taken the time to send me kind words of support, it’s actually made me very emotional. A special mention to the Chairman Andy, Bully, Bowes, Salil, Rhys, Ollie, Glenn, Rob, Andrew, all of the players & everyone at the club, I was hoping my situation would go under the radar, so everyone could just focus on getting a result today, however, creating some awareness to Skin Cancer feels very positive for me, my wife & my daughter. I was actually diagnosed back in May, I had my first procedure in June but unfortunately they hadn’t got the cancer margins they wanted, so after many more tests & consultations, more invasive surgery is required. I can not stress enough, how important the Football Club has been for me through this process, it’s been the perfect distraction for my soul, to give me the strength I need to get through what I am about to experience.
It feels like the football gods have been with me through out, from the start of the season challenges, to the last 2 weeks of results! It feels like the narrative was always meant to be presented this way!
Since my last notes, we have played Sutton Common Rovers FC at home and played Guernsey FC, Badshot Lea FC, Dulwich & Hamlet FC all away. To pick up 4 wins, has been a perfect way to start October & for me going into my surgery.
Sutton Common Rovers FC at home saw us win our 1st league game, with 2 goals being scored by Kickie & an excellent clean sheet for CJ between the sticks. A result I feel we fully deserved, for the first time in a while the structure of the team was starting to take shape. I know I’ve said it a few times now, but even through conceding 14 goals in 2 games, I never had any doubt in the group of players!
In fact I installed the players with belief & confidence in meetings & presentations we had, so they knew that we were ready to go & get these 4 wins.
The trip to Guernsey wasn’t ideal in the sense, many players couldn’t get time of work on a Wednesday & Thursday, however it did provide an excellent opportunity for others to shine & take the shirt. Goldie’s finish in the last minute, the singing on the team bus & Jamie Hilton just being a superstar for the whole trip was special. Like last season, it bought the group together and installed a belief & confidence in the group that I knew was in them, I just needed to coach, develop & manage it out of them.
Following 2 days in Guernsey, last Saturday saw us play Badshot Lea FC, already being presented as a bottom of the league 6 pointer. It wasn’t our most fluent performance but you could see the confidence in the players was there! A clean sheet for CJ, an assist from Luke, a great finish from Kickie, subs coming off the bench AGAIN with a 1st assist from Sachin & a 1st goal for Riley! This was a great result for the group.
9 league points in 9 days, 2 clean sheets & most importantly every player stepped up & executed, which is exciting for the squad we have. As I’ve said a lot, there are 32 league games left & we will need every player through the season!
The cherry on the cake came on Tuesday night. A trip to Dulwich & Hamlet FC. Never an easy 2 hour journey through central London on a Tuesday night! That being said, the ground, the pitch, the crowd, it felt the stage was set for a Mitch Parker master class & wow, didn’t he deliver! Mitch plus all of the other players delivered a memorable performance & result for everyone at the club. Let’s see what the next round presents!
Today we face Westfield FC, a change of management for them over the summer but no change in results, they’ve had a great start to the season & will prove another tough test for the team, one I know all the players & management team are ready for.
In my absence, please get behind Bully & Bowes who will jointly work together to manage the team. Both are fantastic human beings, both are great on the coaching field and with all of the players in the dressing room. I know the team is in safe hands. I hope you all enjoy the game and thank you for your continued support.
Rosco
