Romeo’s looking to build for the future
Kingfishers boss is already planning for next season in Isthmian League
THATCHAM Town brought down the curtain on their 2021/22 campaign on Saturday – and manager Yashwa Romeo immediately started planning for next season.
The Kingfishers signed off with a disappointing 5-0 thumping at home to second-placed Chertsey.
But a 12th-place finish after a difficult first season in the Isthmian League South Central was more than respectable.
And Romeo is looking to build on this next season.
He said: “It was disappointing to finish this way, but we had two players missing through suspension and another midfielder out so it was always going to be a tough ask.
“The boys didn’t play well, but that’s the only time that has happened in the nine games I have been in charge.
“When the third goal went in a few heads dropped and Chertsey got a couple more late on.”
Romeo, who replaced Jamie Leacock in the hotseat in March, added: “The hard work starts now.
“I’ve got to start planning for next season. I’ve already spoken to a couple of players, but some teams are still involved in the play-offs, so I will have to wait on that.
“There will not be a big revamp and there will not be an exodus of players leaving the club, but we do need to bring
in four or five new players.”
It’s a delicate balance to build a strong squad and keep all the players happy at the same time.
Romeo said: “I have been in football a long time and if the team is winning and competitive then most players are more than happy to stay.
“I am looking forward to the challenge, although it will be tough.
“The league will be different and there will some strong teams coming into it.
“Southall, for example, won the Combined Counties League and they have got a massive budget.”