Faversham relishing the new campaign

Faversham Town chairman Bob Mason is confident he can be a success as Paul Copley's assistant manager - and avoid the embarrassment of having to sack HIMSELF, writes James Brown.

Lilywhite stalwart Mason, 50, accepted an offer from first-team boss Copley to return to the training field this summer and cannot wait for the start of the season.

Mason, whose links with the Salters Lane club go back more than 35 years, joins boss Copley and old Lilywhite pal Paul Piggott in the dugout for re-born Faversham Town's third campaign.

And he is excited at the prospect of re-establishing his beloved Faversham as a genuine force in the Kent League Premier Division and thus keeping himself in a job.

Mason told www.favershamtownfc.co.uk: "It will be strange juggling two jobs at the club, that of chairman and assistant manager, but it's a challenge I am looking forward to.

"It's a case of so far, so good because Copes, Piggy and myself have all been busy this summer looking to bring in some new faces.

"Hopefully, we'll have a very good season and I wont be put in the position of having to sack myself!"

Mason gets back to what he loves most on Saturday when players old and new join for the start of pre-season training.

And the popular character revealed that the arrival of new sponsors, recruitment firm Connect Personnel, had helped lift everyone at Salters Lane.

He explained: "All of the players I have spoken to are really looking forward to getting back into it. In fact, many have been doing their own training during the break.

"With a new sponsor this season there seems to be a real buzz about everything that is happening at the club which is all very encouraging."

Mason played youth team, reserves and first team football at Salters Lane in a long career that peaked with him captaining Faversham Town to the Kent League title in 1990.

And now he is appealing for local lads to follow his example and fight for the right to wear the club's famous three lions.

He said: "There will be a lot of new faces at training which will make for good competition in the warm-up games.

"But is my hope that we will see more and more local lads make the progression through our teams and become a permanent fixture in our Kent League side.

"That has to be the aim of every aspiring footballer in Faversham so I'd be only too pleased to see a good selection of local lads at training on Saturday."

The management of the club's Reserve team has also had a shake-up with last year's assistant manager Kevin Sims replacing Brett Harrison in the hot-seat and John Goodwin taking over as the new No 2.

The club's youth development officer Ray Turner continues in charge of the Under-18s and Mason added: "I believe the management teams assembled for all three teams can drive this club forward and bring long overdue success back to Faversham Town."

Mason has a busy July ahead of him and had better get into the swing of things pretty quickly with his own golf day teeing off at Faversham Golf Club a week on Friday.

Around 100 golfers are expected to take part in the fourth annual event which is making its debut appearance at the beautiful Belmont course.

And the demand for places has been so high that golf club secretary John Edgington has released some extra tee-off slots.

Mason revealed: "It's my favourite fund-raiser of the year and I know that a lot of work has gone into making sure everyone has a smashing day.

"The closing date for entries was last Friday but John has managed to secure a couple more spaces so there is still a chance for people who thought they had missed out.

"But please hurry. The starting list really must close this Friday."

Teams of four will contest a nine-hole Texas Scramble in the morning followed by an 18-hole Stableford in the afternoon.

Prizes are on offer to the first three teams in the morning as well as the first three teams and individuals in the afternoon.

Teams of four can still enter at a cost of £260 which also includes coffee and bacon roll on arrival, ploughman's lunch and three-course presentation dinner at Belmont in the evening.

Non-golfers wishing to join the fun in the evening - which includes a comedian - can buy a presentation dinner ticket at a cost of £20.

To enter, either download a form by visiting
www.favershamtownfc.co.uk or call organiser James Brown on 078111 82652.

Players looking to try-out for Faversham at pre-season training should meet at Salters Lane at 10.30am on Saturday.

Article courtesy of James Brown - www.favershamtownfc.co.uk.