FROME Town FC returned to the pitch in fine style this month as they kicked off their pre-season with a convincing 4-1 win against Bishop Sutton.
And manager Danny Greaves is hoping the strong start is a sign of good things to come for the upcoming season which starts next month.
Frome Times caught up with Danny after Town’s win against Bishop Sutton to talk about the club’s post-lockdown return, the new season, and what could be Town’s last season at Badgers Hill.
How does it feel to be back on the pitch?
“It’s really good to be back! It feels good, a little bit strange after so long out – it’s been about five months since our last competitive game against Paulton. We’re trying to get back into the routine and the swing of things – the lads are building up their fitness.”
A 4-1 win is a great start to the pre-season. How would you rate the team’s performance?
“All things considered, after having so long out, I thought that their performance was generally good. Most importantly, the fitness levels of the boys was really good, and we scored four really good goals. So on the whole, it was a really pleasing exercise for the first game of the pre-season.
“But we are not getting carried away, it’s going to be a long pre-season – six weeks with 6 or 7 games to build up to the start of the season on 12th September, which will be a massive FA Cup game for us.”
What was it like playing behind closed doors without the supporters?
“For me personally, I didn’t feel any different. Once the game kicks off you’re in the zone, focussing on the game. And I’m sure that was the same for the players, focussing on their own performance and who they are up again.
“It doesn’t really make a difference pre-season – you don’t normally get a big following. The real difference will be when we start playing competitive games, and hopefully we will be allowed a crowd through the doors by then.
“We believe the FA Cup will start on the 12th September with or without fans. But we’ve been told that the league campaign won’t start until fans can start coming through the gates, as it’s just not financially viable for clubs at our level to not have supporters.”
At the end of the last season, Town was battling for the top spot in the league and promotion back into the Southern League Premier Division. What are your hopes for the new season? Are you hoping to repeat last season’s performance?
“It’s a massive year for us. Expectations were high last season given the fact that we had just been relegated from a higher division – teams were out to beat us and we were expected to be at the top. This season expectations are even bigger because of what we did last year and the way we performed.
“It’s going to be a massive year for us. It’s more than likely going to be our last season at Badgers Hill as we know it today.
“So it’s massively important that we leave Badgers Hill as we know it on a good footing and hopefully with a promotion under our belts and a ground development.”
Can you tell us more about the plans to redevelop Badgers Hill?
“All the plans are still a little bit hush hush. But there are rumours out there – the ground is going to be redeveloped, hopefully over the summer in 2021. We will still be at Badgers Hill, but it will look completely different. It’s a really exciting time for the club – from a footballing point of view, we want to make sure that we leave some positive history with a good season.”
During lockdown the community raised over £20,000 to support the club – how did that feel?
“We set the target at £20,000 as that was what was needed to get us where we needed to be financially, and not for one second did we expect to get near that number. It just goes to show you what we can do when the community pulls together to save their football club. It was an amazing achievement and got us through a tricky period.”
What do you have to say to the supporters about the season ahead?
“The important message is that the support they showed us during lockdown doesn’t stop there, now we need them to help get us through the next season in what will be tough conditions.
“We need the fans to come out and buy season tickets, take up sponsorship opportunities, buy shirts, merchandise and do all they can to support the club throughout the season.
“And make it one last season at Badgers Hill (as we know it) to remember!”
