West seals deals for top flight move
7:00pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
THE empty champagne bottles haven't yet been recycled but Paul West has already started putting together his squad for next season.
Mark Owen, Anthony Watson, Joe Clarke and Nathan Vaughan are all committed to Evesham United's immediate future in the Southern League Premier Division and the manager is also confident of tieing up similar agreements with captain Steve Lutz, Danny Scheppel, Daniel Lennon, Mark Hands and Gary Hay before the end of this week.
West will also offer new deals to Michael Hayden, Danny Hodnett and Steve Luckett as he strives to put together a squad that will enable the Robins to survive in the top flight.
The only player whose future is in doubt would appear to be Steven Hands, who is hoping to emigrate to Australia next year.
"I have been delighted with the individual players' response at the challenge that lies ahead," West declared.
Testament "For certain players it could be an easier option to probably get better financial deals at the level below but that is a testament to their desire and hunger to test themselves at the highest level possible. I am optimistic, positive and enthusiastic about next season."
Apart from speaking to existing players West also revealed his ideas with regards freshening up the squad.
"As a manager you always have to try to keep things fresh in terms of your team. If anything it curbs complacency within the players but I will not bring in players just for the sake of it.
"I do have a list of potential players and within that list there is a mixture of experience and young talent, but under my management it is simply not the case of what Evesham United can do for a player but more the case of what can a player do for Evesham United and I will be monitoring the situation closely over the summer."
West, who gets married next month, also revealed that he will be speaking with chairman Jim Cockerton very soon about his plans for the new campaign and the club's current situation in terms of finance and the new ground.
"I've been brave and bold enough to show how committed I am to the cause and I don't want to go anywhere else," the manager reiterated.
"There's got to be a togetherness both on and off the field to enable the whole club to continue going in the right direction and it is something I have total faith in having spent nearly 12 years of my life at Evesham."
The manager was delighted with the way the season had finished and heaped praise on stand-in goalkeeper and the club's fans.
"Joe was fantastic on Saturday," West recalled. "He is a great character on and off the park and emphasises everything about the squad's team spirit. The only problem I will have with him now is that he will more than likely be looking for a pay rise in terms of his 'utility' ' job description!
As regards to our supporters they have been fantastic all season and it was brilliant to see so many at the game and joining in the celebrations.
"In terms of distance travelled I cannot remember the last time we had more supporters than the home team - it was a great day all round."
There promise to be another couple of excellent evenings for all connected with Evesham ahead of the summer break.
It's the presentation night at the Northwick Hotel next Friday, May 9 followed by a visit to the annual Mayor making on Monday, May 12.
"The Mayor telephoned me on Friday and he has invited all the players to the Public Hall - that will just cap a magnificent season and it's a great gesture on his behalf," West acknowledged.