Peters optimistic over Bacup future

FOOTBALL SHELDAN KEAY BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters believes some of his team’s efforts over the past year have made him optimistic for the future.

It was a difficult campaign for Bacup in North West Counties Division One, finishing in 18th place.

They had a lot to deal with during the season, including various injuries and suspensions to some of their key players.

With that in mind, Peters is proud of those players in the side who stepped up to the plate, and is confident they can build on that going forward.

“The final couple of months have been demanding and these boys have stood up to the task with excellent credibility, which has certainly given me and my coaching staff plenty of optimism for the future,” he said.

“The likes of captain Adrian Bellamy made an impressive 42 appearances, with them all being starts, while Anthony Hall made 35 appearances and Jordan Rutter played 30 times too. There were others who played a lot of games, James Constantine had 26 starts, Nathan Emery had 24 appearances, and Stuart Craig made 20 appearances.

“We had Thomas Coulson, Alexander Nwachukwu, Rees Welsh, Harvey Close, Connor Porter and Trent Simm all play a part in the season too.

“There are also other players who have contributed with excellent performances in certain games, such as goalkeeper Louis McCarthy who stepped up and made eight appearances after Josh Harris suffered a shoulder injury.

“Benjamin Boyne, Ryan Heywood and Benjamin Rhodes all came into the first team squad from our ●● Brent Peters youth set up, while Matthew Bryan returned after a period away too.

“They all have helped to put a smile back on my face after our season had turned sour following our good start.”

Peters now hopes that the experience those young players have picked up over the past couple of months will help them grow in their careers.

“We have had to completely rebuild during a demanding season which was certainly not easy,” he said. “The majority of the players having to step up to the task in hand are talented young boys, and this was the highest competitive level of football they have played at.

“They have all been committed though, and have all wanted to learn which has helped immensely.”

Peters’ attention over the next few months will now turn to assembling his squad for the next North West Counties Division One campaign.

‘These boys have stood up to the task with excellent credibility’