Nichols keeping his feet firmly on ground
STEPHEN Nichols does not expect his Ashford Rovers side to tear up any trees in the second tier this season.
The Rovers ‘B’ manager is still in the process of assembling his squad as he looks to build on lifting the Division 2 title last year but with some key members of that squad now departed, Nichols knows he has to be realistic in his ambitions.
Nichols was also modest in his plans for last season but an unstoppable late charge saw them crowned league champions.
Now though, in a higher league and with a squad that will see an influx of youth players, it could be a slow-burner for the Ballinalea Park men.
“It was a slow start last year. We were in the position where, at the beginning, we were told that we’d be playing in the Premier Division. Thankfully that all changed and then it took us a while to get things together and for the squad to settle down. We were playing catch-up from the beginning.
“I thought it was going to be a transitional season. We put on a great run at the end, we took 22 points from the last 24 available. We did well.”
A defeat in the Back Alley was what inspired Rovers to that 11th hour revival in a league that could have been claimed by a multitude of sides.
“We lost a game to Carrnew and after that we got a wake-up call. Lads could have thrown in the towel but after that, everyone woke up and we took it one game at a time and kept putting three points on the board.
“It was a very competitive league. It was a four-horse race for the title. Ballywaltrim beat us 2-1 in Ballywaltrim and I think they were probably the best football team in terms of passing the ball. It was a very competitive division.”
Glory days in May could be beyond Rovers this time around as Nichols tries to juggle experience and youth but he is still backing his squad to the hilt – once they put pen to paper of course.
“This year, we need to get players signed. We’re struggling to get players signed at the moment. Last season’s squad hasn’t signed up because there’s a few players gone.
“Chris Sillery is with the ‘A’ team now so there’s our top goalscorer gone. I have six or seven ex-Youth team players looking to play for us which might make it a transitional year this year but if I can get 11 of last season’s squad signed up then I’d be happy. I hope to be competitive.
“My squad this season will still have a number of experienced players but with probably a lot more young players coming through for their first year of senior football. I hope to be as competitive as possible and I think that the talent is there. I wouldn’t rule out us winning something.”
The Rovers boss also admitted that he had no issues with the Wicklow League whatsoever last season and is hoping for the same this time around.
“For us, it went well. We weren’t messed around or anything like that and our fixtures were there every week. There was no chopping or changing, we had a game week-in, week-out other than weather affecting us.
“I think the shenanigans that went on with others last year will be gone.
“They’ll be more stringent and they’ll have their eye on the ball to make sure that there’s no underhandedness going on. Despite everything, the lads want teams playing football and they don’t want anything to fall apart. They’re trying their best and I hope it goes smoothly and there’s no controversy with any club.”