Month: August 2020

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Attention LinkedIn users!

Are you a user of LinkedIn? 

LinkedIn is a free business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. 

The Club has recently updated its LinkedIn home page and will over the coming weeks and months further update the page with regular postings. 

Most of the postings you may have already seen on the website but, through LinkedIn, by your liking or sharing of the posts with your network, it will help towards the primary objective of increasing the Club’s profile for a much wider audience. 

Another key objective of our posts will be seeking to attract more advertisers and sponsors and increase vital revenue from which the club will benefit. 

We will also be promoting our fixtures in an attempt to entice new supporters who we hope will want to return once they have sampled the matchday experience at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.  

We are aware that, through just a handful of existing supporters using LinkedIn, shared postings can reach many thousands of potential contacts.

ETFC LinkedIn page followers have increased slightly in recent weeks and you can help increase our reach still further.  There is a LinkedIn icon on the top left hand corner of the home page of the Club website.

Your support would be greatly welcomed!

Billy, Marc, Lewis, Nathan and Ryan sign for 2020-21!

Billy, Marc, Lewis, Nathan and Ryan sign for 2020-21!

Five of last season’s Town squad put pen to paper yesterday, as manager Andy Leese’s plans in these unprecedented times continue to take shape.  Billy Bricknell (pictured with Chairman Paul Reed) and Marc Weatherstone signed one-year contracts while Lewis Taaffe, Nathan McDonald and Ryan Blackman all signed league forms.

Andy said “I’m delighted, particularly in the unique circumstances we are all in with the resumption of competitive football still a little way off, that the spine of the squad is coming together, and I am confident of additional players signing within the next week or so.  I am in constant dialogue with a number of potential recruits and, as well as more familiar names from last year, I am sure there will be some new, exciting names to announce in due course.

“We have used the first couple of behind-closed-doors friendlies as a chance to look at a wide spread of possibilities, as is always the case at this time of year.  From the third game onwards, against Chelmsford City, it is likely that there will be some more settled line-ups, substitutions etc as the management team look at individuals and permutations with a view to paring down to the squad we would like to put in place for the competitive resumption, whenever that may be.

“I’m delighted that Billy, Marc, Lewis, Nathan and Ryan have shown a commitment to stay with the club during a time when we are all hoping for a resumption in September but at the same time knowing that that sort of timeframe is far from certain.  In the meantime, as I mentioned in an earlier update, we have an extended number of friendlies to keep the guys match fit so that we are ready whenever we need to be.

“I have been pleased overall with the initial couple of games, which have been very much with enhanced fitness in mind as well as the chance to look at players who have shown an interest in the club. They have very much been a stepping-stone between our midweek training sessions and the additional strength and sharpness that only comes with playing matches.

“This year there is more time than usual to plan for the season ahead and, with a number of players returning from holidays and other commitments, we will not be rushing to assemble a squad until we are certain we have the best fit available – not least with budgets being tighter than ever in the wake of the pandemic.  Scott Thomas and Lyle Della-Verde were able to take part in the friendly against Brentwood Town – which was a good workout – and Jon Muleba should be available soon following work commitments.  As I’ve said before, on the injury recovery front Lewis Taaffe has made very good progress, while James Potton – recovering well after such a serious injury – is still undergoing rehab and is probably more likely to re-enter the fray around October time.

“I must admit, although the closed-doors and other precautions regime is something we are all still getting used to, the spread of pre-season games has probably made it a slightly less breathless exercise than usual assembling a squad for the new campaign.  I am grateful to supporters for their patience as ever at this time of year and very much hope that we can all see each other at matches in the not too distant future.

“I can confirm a new appointment at the club – that of Head of Football Operations.  Graham Dodd, who was part of the Under 23s management team last season, is taking up this role for 2020-21.  Graham and I go back a long way – we worked together at Broxbourne for a time – and he will be an invaluable asset going forward. With no U23s for the time being at least, Graham will be the focal point for linking the Under 18 teams, including the new academy, that we will be running this year, as well as being a conduit between the various managers.  He will work very closely with the management team to ensure that communication lines are optimised and so that we can preserve the pathway between youth and senior football. Graham will also do some scouting as part of his role.  I’m delighted Graham is on board; he is a very knowledgeable football man.

“In rather less-than-good news, our excellent goalkeeping coach Ed Thompson is moving on for personal and work related reasons.  Ed’s departure will be a big miss as he has been an integral part of the management team and is second to none as an innovative goalkeeping coach, following his successful time as a player.  Ed knows he is always welcome back at the club and it goes without saying that I am very grateful for all the great work he has done during his spell with us.  In the meantime, we are looking to replace him as soon as possible but he will be a difficult act to follow!  In the meantime, Alfie Bonfield, son of former Town keeper Darren will be working in tandem with Nathan so that they can keep each other on their toes.”

Following this on-field news, there are plans to issue an off-field update within the next couple of weeks, including the possibility of a further zoom link meeting for members.  Please watch this space!

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TOWN’S PRE-SEASON STARTING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS; ANDY LEESE’S AUGUST THOUGHTS

In these strangest of times, Enfield Town are taking tentative steps this week towards a competitive 2020-21 season start with a friendly against QEII Stadium tenants St Panteleimon FC this Saturday (2pm).  Please note that spectators are not permitted at this match and there will be no gatherings at the stadium allowed.  There will be no programmes for home friendlies, but a team sheet should be available on social media, and a summary of each match will be made available on the website.

St Panteleimon were formed in 2015, initially competing in the KOPA League for two seasons before joining the Middlesex League. After winning Division One at the first attempt unbeaten, 2018-19 brought further success with the Saints claiming a Premier Division league and cup double and reaching the first round of the FA Vase. Last season the club were lying second in Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League before the pandemic suspension.

Town manager Andy Leese gave his thoughts earlier this week: “We’ve now had a handful of training sessions led by Mario – with all the necessary covid precautions, including temperature taking, track and trace procedures, coaching from distance, masks in evidence, and ball cleaning etc – and overall we are delighted with the shape the players are in.

“I must pay thanks the two Johns – Abbott and Dolan – for enabling us to operate in the safest possible environment during this uncertain period when the “dos” and “don’ts” of pandemic recovery guidance can change at very short notice.  As Mr Chairman mentioned in his latest update, we are working towards a potential league start of 19th September, although the government’s postponement of a selection of designated sporting events to pilot the safe return of supporters, due to start on 1st August, might have made this date less likely. 

“The FA have this week announced that the FA Cup will start on 1st September and, with our own first qualifying round entry scheduled for Tuesday 22nd September – maybe behind closed doors – it looks increasingly possible that that may be our first competitive game.  But we are assuming nothing and I’m sure there will be amendments to the various authorities’ guidance to take account of as we move forward towards the resumption that we’d all dearly like to see.

“I can confirm that the core of last season’s squad has returned for training and, as I say, it looks as though the enforced break has given various niggling injuries a chance to recover and the boys are all looking good.  The players have generally kept themselves very fit during lockdown and beyond and that is to their great credit.

“You will no doubt have read elsewhere that Ken Charles, Joe Payne and Glen Wilson have moved on for various reasons; close-season movements of course being part and parcel of football at this level.  I am also aware that, as always at this time each year, there is a keenness to know who has joined the club – particularly when other clubs  are making announcements.  As  I said this time last year (and probably the year before!), we have to be sure we are recruiting as wisely as possible, working within our tight playing budget and making sure that we are in the best shape to start the new season, whenever that may be.

“We will be looking at some trialists in the St Panteleimon game and beyond, and we have had discussions with a number of players we would like to add with a view to improving the squad in various positions for what promises to be a very challenging campaign with so many unknowns.  It will no doubt disappoint some supporters that I cannot yet name names, but I can assure all Town fans that I am confident of landing some very good players who will improve us. Most have played at a higher level and, as soon as pre-season progresses and I feel that the time is right to make announcements then rest assured I will do.   

“It’s been very pleasing to see the boys again after their enforced absence – including James Potton and Lewis Taaffe raring to go following injury.  James has made a remarkable recovery supported by John Abbott and I hope we can see him playing before the end of the year.  One or two of the boys have had work commitments, which is understandable given the circumstances, but there has otherwise been a decent turn-out for each session. The boys have returned looking trim and with real desire to get playing again. I am concerned that this pre-season will be longer than any other I have experienced in over twenty years of management and that a competitive start as soon as possible is vital.  We need to manage the next few weeks carefully and if we need to change our planning we will do so and make the best of it. We will try to play more games than usual in pre- season as playing is what the players have missed the most with the break.

“All clubs, particularly at our level, will be operating within similar resource and budget restrictions. It is to everyone’s credit off the field that we have stayed afloat during closure and I’d like to finish by thanking everyone involved in that hard work. I will  update you on incoming players as the squad takes shape as soon as I can”.