Pritchard sets out to earn gaffer’s trust
ACCRINGTON Stanley summer signing Joe Pritchard hopes to gain the trust of manager John Coleman as soon as possible - and prove that he is a valuable asset to the team.
Former Tottenham academy product Pritchard joined Stanley this summer after departing Bolton Wanderers, and he’s hoping to have a breakthrough season at the Wham Stadium after enjoying the first few weeks of pre-season training.
“It’s been great to get stuck in. The first week was at the training ground, there was a few bits of training on the ground, then running through the trees and it was hard work,” he told the club’s official website.
“Then we went to the army camp in Oxford, that was really good. I have never been to an army camp before, I was excited for the opportunity, it was tough, it was something different and I was working muscle groups I never knew I had. It was very painful!
“Going away has helped getting to know the lads, we spent the evenings together all watching Love Island! It’s easy to get along with people and they make you feel welcome.
“What I need in my career is appearances. I need to get in the team, get the trust of the gaffer and play as many times as I can.
“I am 22 and I have said it’s quite late in my career to make my first few starts in first team football.
“I really feel like I need to kick on and catch up in a way, it’s important for me to start getting the games.
“I feel like I have a good attitude to how I assert myself on the pitch, I try to keep a good attitude and brush up on techniques and the physical side of the game and hopefully it will take me where it will take me.”
Meanwhile, Stanley have released a statement regarding the absence of Billy Kee from their pre-season training.
The club said: “A number of fans have asked why striker Billy Kee isn’t on any of our pre-season photographs. Billy didn’t report back in pre-season due to personal reasons and we have no further information at this time. When we have an update, we will let people know.”
Stanley’s EFL Trophy group has also been drawn this week, with the Reds placed in Group B alongside Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town.
THIS weekend at Church Meadow sees, on Saturday 13th July from 1.30pm, The Green Thumb Ribblesdale Cricket League match between Ribblesdale Wanderers CC 1st XI and Brinscall CC 1st XI.
On Sunday 13th July from 9.30am it’s Ladies Cricket festival and The Ribblesdale Cup crown Green Bowling competition from 1pm.