We're making no figures where we're going to be, says Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins says he is not putting any expectations on his side this season.

The south Londoners finished in tenth-place in the Kent League last season in Firkins’ first season in charge after arriving from Greenwich Borough, where he performed miracles to keep that club going.

Fisher were defeated by a youthful Millwall side 2-1 at Champion Hill last night – and Firkins revealed he will once again be running with a large squad.

He said: “We’ve got a little bit of chopping and changing to do, but I think at the moment it’s a nice headache going into the start of pre-season.

“I didn’t know what sort of nucleus of players I’d have.  I invited everybody back. Some did. Some didn’t.  We’ve just gradually got an influx of players and it’s starting to take a little bit of shape.”

Fisher welcome Ryman League Division One North side Aveley to Bacons College in Rotherhithe on Saturday and have three further friendlies to get things right ahead of their Kent League opener at Tunbridge Wells on 4 August.

Firkins, 55, said: “They’re all good tests.  Aveley will definitely be a good test for us without a doubt.

“They’re all games that we’ll be looking at to get our final squad together and possibly starting eleven.

“I may make a few changes coming into the Hendon game (at Champion Hill on Monday 30 July).  We’ll definitely make a few changes because we’ve got a few lads away, like Dan (Firkins) included.

“It’s all looking really positive at the moment. It was all looking all doom-and-gloom but it’s brightened up a little bit but most of the fellas in there are all good lads. They’re all willing and that’s what we can ask for.”

Looking ahead to their Kent League opener at Tunbridge Wells, which is followed by a home game against Erith Town on Monday 6 August, Firkins admitted his side will not be a title challenger again this season.

He said: “I said last season I think it will be quite open and teams like Erith Town and Tunbridge Wells finished well.

“A lot of people are making Erith & Belvedere favourites.

“Whyteleafe are coming in, so it’s quite open.”

Firkins added: “I’m not making no figures where we’re going to be. I’ll take each game as it comes and hopefully we’re good enough to compete and give teams a good game.”

Meanwhile, Firkins’ former assistant, Bill Walton, has joined the coaching staff at Kent League side VCD Athletic.

Ricky Bennett’s side – who lost 3-0 at home to Welling United tonight – travel to Herne Bay on Saturday to contest the Kent League Challenge Shield.

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

Fisher  v  Aveley
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 21^st July 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Bacon’s College, Timber Pond Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 6AT