FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

A Quick Catch-Up

I usually get bored during the summer. Yes, the weather’s warmer, the days are longer and, if you’re lucky you get to go on holiday. All these things are great. So far this summer, we’ve redecorated a bedroom, laid an Italianate patio, been to Snowdonia during a heatwave and ridden the FTS scooter round many of Worcestershire’s fine country lanes.

But something’s missing. I miss the M5. The mandatory stops at Strensham and Michaelwood. We don’t stop at Gloucester Services. If they can’t be bothered to clear the grass off their roof then I can’t be bothered with buying artisan granola from their bespoke retail units. Give me somewhere you can buy a greasy burger, a can of Monster and play the video games. Anyway, it’s still not long since the bamboo boxer shorts incident….so at least one of our number may not be 100% welcome there – although I think the technicians in HazMat suits may have finally finished their salvage operation.

Most of all, I miss that feeling of nervous anticipation generated ahead of every Saturday and many Tuesday games wondering whether Dan will change the pre-game playlist this week or not?

Not…..as it turned out.

So there I was, contemplating going to watch some cricket, when BOOM! The bombshell landed and we learned that the man who led the club to the verge of Step 4 football had resigned and left the club, followed closely by the rest of his coaching staff. Crikey!

We at FLT are not aware of the reason behind Crowth’s decision. And quite frankly, it’s none of our business. But we do say a huge thank you to Andy and all his dedicated staff who have been absolutely integral to the great strides the club has taken over the past 5 or 6 years. From a step 7 club with no ground to being ninety minutes away from mixing it with Southern League stalwarts like Weymouth is one hell of a rapid rise. It is testament to Crowth’ and Co that the club has benefitted from having a remarkably stable squad. There can’t be many clubs with such low turnover of players, particularly given opportunities some players have been faced with. More of that later.

On The QT

The club board acted quickly and decisively on learning of Crowth’s decision and within 24 hours a new era dawned as Quentin Townsend was installed as the club’s new Manager. Quent’ as he will be known (because there’s no place in football for names with two syllables) has previously managed our old landlords, Stourport Swifts and Pershore Town. He has significant experience of managing at Steps four and five with notable success.

FTS understands (because he told us) that like us Quent has a black book full of contact details. Unlike the FTS office black book which contains only potential assassination targets, Quent’s book contains names and numbers of players keen to work with him again. He might need to open the book before too long because, prior to his arrival, a number of talented and dedicated squad members decided it was time for them to move on. As we understand, the following departures have been confirmed:

Jack Brighton and Josh Hurdman move to Inkberrow, Charlie Tilley has gone to Rugby, James Baldwin and Will Dallaway have left for destinations unknown, and Jay ‘JAYS!!‘ Sauntson has retired. Tragically Sam Hurdman has given up on football altogether and will play for the Worcester R*****s next season. Rumours that this gifted but shy young man has developed Crowdophobia (like Dartitis or the yips) remain unconfirmed but if true he has picked the ideal place for his convalescence.

Losing players is always a blow, particularly players as good as the list above but we move on and here FTS we are encouraged to see the quality of players the club has retained:

Quent has also added two members of his coaching team. Former Spa manager Mark Owen makes a welcome return as Assistant Manager and Sam Johnstone joins as First Team Coach.

Most importantly of all, Nicola Dutton joins the management team as Physiotherapist, having seen the light after working with another football team in the area whose name escapes me at the moment.

Pre-season friendlies start on the Fourth of July at Bishop’s Cleave. That’s only two weeks on Saturday.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS

PS: The Waynies are coming but recent events have meant the script needed a pretty dramatic re-write. Keep ’em peeled.