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PICTURE: Left to right; Sandhurst Town forward Liam Ollive, team captain, Jack Kelly and defender, Bradley Goodall.
The marked improvement at Sandhurst Town this season has been attributed to their manager, Jordan Goodall, according to brother, Bradley Goodall, and club Captain, Jack Kelly.
Sandhurst first joined the East Berkshire League in the 2019-20 season but managed to win a total of only three matches in their first two campaigns. And things were not much better last season when four wins in 20 matches saw the team finish second bottom.
Jordan Goodall sparked the catalyst for success when using the summer months to improve player fitness and install a new mentality into his side, and Town have not looked back since.
Sandhurst has won 10 of their 13 league matches so far this season to sit level on points at the top in EBFL Division One, with a realistic chance of the title and promotion.
Goodall’s men have also reached the Semi Finals in the League Cup, the Quarters in the Presidents Cup, and are currently one win away from a place in the last eight of the Ascot & District Fielden Cup.
Kelly praised his manager, saying: “One of the reasons, we’ve progressed so much this season is down to the manager we have. Jordan puts in so much time and effort into this team, and he knows that we all appreciate it so much. Sometimes he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves but, we know how much time he puts in to sort out every game and training session, and everything else that goes with being a manager.
“We all love playing for Jordan, which is another reason, why we are doing well this season, and we’re glad we can make him proud with our performances.”
Bradley is a brother to manager, Jordan, and plays as a defender in the team. He said: “I signed when the club was first made by my father and have watched my brother now take over. I’ve been here watching the club evolve over the last five years.
PHOTO: Sandhurst Town take on Stoke Poges in the first EBFL Showcase Match of the season at Ascot United FC this Saturday (7pm ko). Entry is four pounds, one for concessions and Under 18s, and one for a programme. Hot and cold food is available to spectators, with the bar open until 10pm.
“For me, it’s a great feeling right now. I’ve gone from playing for a club with barely a squad each week, being beaten and not really enjoying my football, to having a full team that wants to achieve great things; win trophies and compete in every game.
“The biggest change made for us to do what we have done is to take a step back, instead of losing all the time we wanted to work on making it harder for teams to play us. We’ve also built a connection between the players and it would be a big achievement to get a trophy with this team. I would be thrilled to be able to do that.”
The defender added: “Jordan is one of the main people to thank for all of this. He has lifted a team that had nothing about them to the side we are today. This season, he has put his foot down with a lot of people and made us work harder. Training sessions are also more beneficial. It’s a pleasure to play for this season.
“The Showcase Match is coming up and it’s a great chance to play in a stadium but, I’m trying to not think about it being a big game. I’m going into it with a mindset that it’s a normal game.
“I’m very excited for the future at this club and, with Jordan managing, I believe that we will achieve a lot.”
Captain, Kelly, also commented: “I feel as though the boys this season have really wanted to progress and that started right from pre-season when we worked harder in training and got more friendlies under our belts. The training has intensified during the season and we’ve gone into games with much more confidence and a little bit of fight about us. I feel very proud to go out and be able to lead the team as Captain every week.
“I don’t feel like I’m the one leader in this team, a lot of the boys are also leaders, so it takes the pressure off me as Captain. It allows me to concentrate on my game to. To have some big characters in this squad, supporting me as well as the team, is a massive bonus.”
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2023/24 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
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