We're in a position to be respected, says Bridon Ropes manager Gary Lisney

The Charlton-based club went down to a 4-3 defeat away to Essex Senior League side Clapton last night and open their new League campaign with a trip to Lydd Town on Saturday 9 August.

Under previous manager Daniel Frost (who now forms part of  Paul Gross' management team at Cray Valley in the Southern Counties East Football League) the club won the London Senior Trophy for the very first time in their history after beating Ryman League Division One South club Corinthian-Casuals and finished in 12^th place in the Kent Invicta League.

Lydd Town, meanwhile, enjoyed their best campaign finishing runners-up to Hollands & Blair, finishing ten points adrift of Paul Piggott’s side.

Former Fisher boss Lisney is looking forward to making their longest trip of the season to face Dave Smith’s men.

“Tough game. I don’t know how much of their squad they’ve retained from last year. I don’t know and I don’t care,” said Lisney.

“I’m actually quite pleased actually to get the first game of the season against potentially possibly be one of the better oppositions in the league because that puts in my players’ mind what they’re going to get week-in-week-out.  

“There are teams that are not quite at that level.  I want them to think it’s going to be like Lydd week-in-week-out, assuming they are going to be strong.” 

When asked his aspirations for the season ahead, Lisney replied: “I haven’t really thought about it!  We pretty much started from afresh, like we have done before.

“My main interest at the moment is getting a squad together for the 9^th August. 

“We are, I would say, 80% of the way there and with one or two additions that we haven’t secured yet, but we are very close to, I think we will be potentially a strong side.” 
 

When asked what he is currently missing, Lisney revealed: “Nothing really, apart from a little bit of work on the training pitch, which we’ve done some. 

“I don’t know how Bridon Ropes played last year. Potentially we’re playing this year a different way of what they’re used to.  

“You know me from old. I want us to play but I want us to make the right decisions in the right areas on the pitch and some players have got bad habits and it takes a little bit while to get them out of it. 

“If we can secure the one or two that have played for us already and are strong players then I think potentially we’re in a position to be respected.”

Bridon Ropes hire the facilities at Meridian Sports & Social Club and a lot of work has gone on to get the ground up to Kent Invicta League standard.

Lisney added: “The stands are in, the fencing’s up, the terracing’s up.  The dug-outs are in.” 

Visit Bridon Ropes’ website: www.bridonropesfc.com

Lydd Town  v  Bridon Ropes
Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League
Saturday 9th August 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Lyndsey Field, Dengemarsh Road, Lydd, Kent TN29 9JH