Combined Counties League preview: Sandhurst Town and Eversley & California

The Combined Counties Football League logo.
The Combined Counties Football League logo.

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With the start of the non-league season fast approaching, Football in Bracknell has been in contact with the local step 6 clubs to see how preparations are going and to ask them what we can expect to see from them this year.

First up we have are the Combined Counties Division One sides Eversley & California and Sandhurst Town.

Eversley & California

Questions to the Boars were answered by club Chairman Ross Allston.

Manager
Ellis Woods

Ground
ESA Sports Ground, Eversley, Hook, RG27 0NS

Last Season
9th/19 in Combined Counties League Division 1

Ambition/Target for the season
This is a simple one for me, stabilise the club and structure. The inclusion of our Under 18’s in the setup, to really promote the player pathway through the club. Finish in top 6 with a good PPG, and to get back into FA Cup next season.

Binfield Reserve team manager Ellis Woods.
Eversley & California manager Ellis Woods.

New signings/Player to watch

I cannot say one player is the one to watch, I am excited to watch the players young and older progress under Ellis and his team this year, it going to be different. The openness of our structure now at the club is going mean each and every player knows what the pathway is and what is expected both ways from the club and for the player, from U18, to Devs in the Suburban League to the Club Captain in the first team.

Team you are looking forward to playing the most

Again, I think, for me it will not be one team but all the teams. Playing teams so different like FC Deportivo Glacia to Chessington and Hook and Sandhurst as our local rivals, will mean every game is going worth a watch. The CCL is not an easy division or league to play or manage in, and as it is Ellis’ first season too, it will be a journey worth watching

Who will win the league/be your main competition

My targets to Ellis are not to win it, but get established, produce good PPG and to allow the supporter a team and pattern that means they will come back. Godalming and Farnham will be strong coming down from the Premier Division last season. I think the big losses will be losing the three sides that were demoted because of ground grading, they were all strong. But with so many teams offering incentives it could be 4/6 team there or thereabouts at the end.

Sandhurst Town

Questions to the Fizzers were answered by first team manager Michael Herbert.

Ground
Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst Memorial Park, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst GU47 9BJ

Last Season
4th/13 in Hellenic League Division 1 East

Woodley United manager Michael Herbert. Photo: Neil Graham.
Sandhurst Town manager Michael Herbert. Photo: Neil Graham.

Ambition/Target for the season

The target for the new season is to be in the top 6. The Combined Counties League is an extremely tough league and has some very good sides in it. Finishing in the top 6 will be a good season from our point of view.

New signings/Player to watch

We have signed a good number of new players; however, all the squad are as important as each other. No one player wins a game of football on their own, they need the support of their team mates. My assistant Daryl Jelly has been a fantastic addition to the club. I’m looking forward to working with him this season. Be nice for him to put his hand in his pocket and buy me a drink though.

Team you are looking forward to playing the most

The players will probably say Sheerwater away. Now they ground share with Woking, it allows us to play at a fantastic facility. I am looking forward to the FA Cup game at home against Lymington on 11th August. FA Cup games are always a bit special. We are also lucky to have our FA Vase game at home. Hopefully we can get a good crowd for both games.

Who will win the league/be your main competition

Sheerwater, Farnham, Epsom and Ewell and Bedfont will be the four favourites to win the league. We play Epsom in our first league game and I’m expecting that to be very tough. They have scored a lot of goals pre season and we will need to be at our best to beat them. Farnham should be right up there too [now managed by ex-Sandhurst boss Luke Turkington]. They are a club they are used to being in the Premier Division and they have a decent budget and some good players. Will be a big shock to me if they are not in the running to get promoted.

Robert Davies is Football in Bracknell’s new correspondent covering the step 6 divisions of the Combined Counties League and Hellenic League. If you have any information or news to share please email him on robdavies84@gmail.com or follow him on twitter @rob_davies7

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