I wanted a fresh challenge, admits Goodwin

Monday 14th June 2010

JOHN GOODWIN says leading Milton & Fulston United back into the top-flight of the Vandanel Kent County League was an offer he couldn’t turn down, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goodwin, 34, and Julian Beal, 33, have taken over the reigns of the Bourne Park, Sittingbourne based club and their main objective is to clinch promotion at the first attempt.

Goodwin managed home-town club Faversham Town’s reserve side last season and felt it was time to be his own man, rather than manage the reserve side at Salters Lane - a club that are now preparing for their inaugural Ryman League campaign.

“Julian left the reserves the season before last and I continued for another season,” Goodwin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Julian left because of personal reasons, but I left over a number of issues, with the over riding one being I was just not enjoying it and needed a fresh challenge.

“I had been in the role three years, enjoyed the experience but you can only do so much with a reserve side and I wanted my own side and style of play, which you cannot do in the reserves due to the different players week in, week out.

“I decided to leave at the end of the season and then this opportunity came along, which was too good to turn down.”

Goodwin explained why he has dropped three league’s to become Milton & Fulston’s new manager.

“The main reason we have come here though is because it is first team football and the club has a great set u with age groups down to under 7s,” he said.

“We will be playing home games at a Ryman League ground, have a mini-bus provided for away games, will train at the Sittingbourne Community College throughout the winter on a 3G pitch.

“I think you would find it hard to find those facilities at most Kent League clubs, let alone a County side, so hopefully that will attract the players we are looking for.”

Goodwin has organised some mouth-watering fixtures, the biggest against landlords Sittingbourne on Tuesday 27 July, as he prepares for his fresh challenge.

And Goodwin said: “We both have a lot of playing experience and will try and get our team to play the right way. Julian has played a lot of Ryman football over the years and am still trying to persuade him to get fit and play as the players can only learn off of him.

“Our aim for next season is obviously promotion to keep our senior status and with the set up here our long term aim is to hopefully take the club into the Kent league. Saying that though we are in a difficult division and we know we will be in for a tough season and will not be taking anything for granted.

“With us being relegated we know it will be tougher to attract some players but we are talking to a few and hopefully they will join us.

“We will be holding trials at the Sittingbourne Community College on Saturday 26 June at 10.30am on the 3g pitch. Anyone is welcome to come along.

“We have also given ourselves a tough pre-season with games against Sittingbourne, Deal and Stansfeld and also against Reserve sides such as Herne Bay and Lordswood, which will all be a test but one we are looking forward too and will be prepare us for the season ahead.”

Visit Milton & Fulston United’s website: www.miltonandfulston.com