Obviously we'd like to finish higher than tenth this season, says Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins says he will be running a much smaller squad next season – although his search for a new number two and coach continues.


The Kent League club kick-off their nine-match pre-season campaign on Saturday with a trip to London Lions, who finished in seventh-place in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One last season.

Firkins takes his side to Hertfordshire with an expected squad of sixteen players due to several players still enjoying their holidays, although Steve O’Donnell, Frankie Warren and Mark Sisson still remain on the sidelines through injury.

Firkins,55, has explained why his side are returning a bit too early.

“Yes, I suppose we are.  First game back.  It seems a long time, but it will be interesting, put it that way,” said the Bermondsey based boss.

He added: “I’ve got a history of starting back a little bit earlier. I like to get the players in some sort of shape instead of bulking it all the way through July.  I do like to ease things back in.

“We’ve been back (training) since the early part of June to get the fella’s involved and it’s been quite good.  I’ve enjoyed it.”

When asked how he is treating Saturday’s opening friendly, Firkins replied, “Well, I’m not 100& certain yet because I’ve still got a few lads’ on holidays and I’m not sure when they’re back.  If they’re back and their ok then I will include them.

“We’ll probably have at least sixteen, not many.  I’m trying to keep the numbers down. 

“I’ve decided I’m going with a smaller squad this season, eighteen, maybe twenty, if push comes to shove.  I’d like to stick to eighteen, if possible.  There’s still a lot of players away on holidays and we’ve still got Steve O’Donnell, Frankie Warren and Mark Sisson as long-term injuries.  They won’t be coming back until around September.”

Firkins declined to reveal his new signings, but supporters will be able to cast their eye on new faces on Saturday.

When asked about new signings, Firkins said: “Not sure yet.  There’s a few lads here that look decent – see Saturday really.   That’s what Saturday’s all about, see what they can give us. If they’re prepared to come aboard, then we’ll sign them!

Firkins hasn’t replaced his number two Billy Walton yet – and with Adam Lawrence running Fisher’s Academy side and with his role at Millwall increasing, Firkins is set to speak to a couple of potential candidates.

“I’ve had a couple of inquiries. I’m going to meet up with and have a chat and see if we’re thinking on the same lines.  Most people know how we play.  If their thoughts are the same then they could be the right person to come in.

“Losing Bill for personal reasons was a blow, but I understand and situations occur.

“The big point for me was losing Adam Lawrence, my coach, but I knew that in February.  He’s taken the Fisher Academy on, which is linked with Millwall and his workload at Millwall has doubled as well so he’s finding it really, really hard to juggle the three, so obviously he’s had to stand down.

“That was a big blow for me obviously, but I’ve been quite happy working on my own for now.  We’ve put in an advert for a new coach who we will speak to next week and we’ll take it from there.”

Fisher are looking for improvement next season, after finishing in tenth-place last term.

“We’d like to improve on that,” said Firkins.  “It’s no good being defeatist about things, we was disappointed when we went through a phase where I think we went ten games without winning a game and that was quite depressing.

“Although we finished strong and that was a good point for us and it’s put us in the right frame of mind to start this season.

“Obviously we’d like to finish higher.  There will be a lot of clubs who will be favourites but we’ll just do what we’ve got to do and see where we go.”

Firkins revealed that the club will continue to run as an amateur outfit.

He said:  “It’s really hard to put a team together.  Everybody knows we’ve got no budget.  To put a team together without a budget, whether that team’s good enough to achieve better things I really can’t tell you.

“I think it proves in the last few seasons, the teams that have won it have had decent budgets, although Herne Bay had their problems when their chairman dropped out last Christmas.

“A budget does help.  We haven’t got a budget so we have to do the best as we can.”

Meanwhile, the Kent League welcome Surrey outfit Whyteleafe, following their relegation out of the Ryman League last season.

“Everybody’s making them favourites.  Whether they retain the same players or not I really don’t know,” said the Fisher boss.

“I don’t know an awful lot about them.  Obviously they got relegated.  They’re an unknown quantity but they’re a Ryman club and you have to give them that respect.  They’ll be looking to come into the League and get promoted next season.”

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk  

Coverage:
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game – our first ever in June - with a full report and reaction to follow on Saturday night.

London Lions  v  Fisher
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 30^th June 2012
Kick Off 2:00pm
At Rowley Lane Sports Association, Rowley Lane, Arkley, Barnet EN5 3HW

Article published:  22:20 – Thursday 28 June 2012