Crocked Whichelow wants to get back firing
WEALDSTONE
The former Luton Town youngster has been one of few constants in a what has been a turbulent period for the club, with a revolving door of transfer comings and goings.
Now in his fifth season at the club, Everitt’s connection goes deeper than that as he played for both Hayes FC and Yeading FC before they merged almost a decade ago.
Everitt missed the early days of the new management duo of Paul Hughes and Ritchie Hanlon due to a medial ligament injury, but is now back and ready for another relegation battle.
Everitt said: “Everyone’s settling in well. I was out for seven weeks so I’ve not been around as much as I’d like, but the new managers are a change which, you’d argue looking at what’s happened in recent years, the club has needed.
“Some stability would be good, and if the managers stay it means they have beeen successful, so I hope they have a long reign. The new team is coming on and our game is coming together. Training is good and the new players are looking good.
“I’ve played for Hayes, Yeading and Hayes & Yeading, so the club is close to my heart. I want them to do well and am desperate to get them back on track. It’s a club that needs to be built back up.
“It was a kick in the teeth to be in the stadium then out again, as we thought we finally had a base. It will be brilliant when we can get MATT Whichelow has promised to find his scoring boots again for Wealdstone as soon as he returns from injury, writes Jon Batham.
The former Watford winger was getting back into the groove when hitting his fifth of the season in the win over Maidenhead only to be sidelined by a calf injury in last week’s win over East Thurrock.
The 25-year-old, who arrived at Grosvenor Vale in the summer, sat out Saturday’s 2-2 FA Trophy draw with Wingate & Finchley.
However having been egged on by back in there and build a proper home in the community, as that’s what has been lacking these last few years.
“But I’m fit again, so hopefully I’ll get a run in the team and help the younger players, which all goes with making the club successful. I want to see the club do well, so anything I can do to help on or off the pitch is what I want to do.”
United thought the turning point had arrived 10 days ago when they convincingly won 5-1 at Southern Premier relegation rivals St Neots Town.
But since then, United have been thrashed 6-0 at Chesham United and 5-0 at Banbury United, to plummet back to square one.
They were hoping to bounce back at home to Frome Town last night and travel to Stratford Town on Saturday, buoyed by new signing Darren Locke, the former Wealdstone, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City centre-back. coach Mickey Johnson to have more shots, a philosophy he believes his teammates should emulate, Whichelow is confident he will be back in the goals soon enough.
He said: “I’d been having a few shots the last few games because, speaking to Mickey, he feels I need to be a bit more selfish and believe in myself a bit more.
“I wouldn’t say my self-belief has been in a bit of a dip, it’s more about me being more ruthless in front of goal. That applies to the team as well, when we do get chances we have to take them. We have to make sure every time we go out and play we are testing the goalkeeper, because you never know what going to happen.”
Whichelow, who played 21 games for the Hornets from 2010-13, was lured to north-west London by a combination of new chairman Peter Marsden – who he played under in a brief loan spell at Accrington – and manager Gordon Bartlett.
He admits it has been tough since coming out of full-time football three years ago, but says he is back to playing the game for the love of it.
“It has been up and down since Watford, where I have just been trying to find that bit of consistency in my game and keep some momentum going,” said the winger. is
“I’ve had spells where I’ve been doing well and then had a dip in form where I just haven’t found my feet. It is a tough adjustment from playing full-time, going to training and being done by 12 o’clock, whereas now I have a job and don’t finish until 5:30pm.
“You have to take it in your stride, learn from it and grow. You have to try and get the enjoyment out of it, so it is about trying to play football with a smile on my face.”
Stones were due to replay against Wingate & Finchley last night, with the winners due to travel north to Vanarama National League strugglers Southport on January 14.