SHAUN AIMS TO RAISE BAR HIGH
LOCAL hero Shaun Saunders was chuffed to lead White- hawk to promotion – and is hoping his summer recruitment gives them the chance to repeat the trick.
The 58-year-old took the hotseat just over a year ago and kept the struggling Hawks in the Isthmian South East. This season he took them to the other end of the table and promotion was achieved via the play-offs after a thirdplace finish.
The former Peacehaven & Telscombe and Haywards Heath Town boss has already made a handful of impressive signings for next term, and is determined to give the Brighton-based club the best possible chance of shining in the Isthmian Premier.
“I’m not naïve to the point where I underestimate the quality of the division,” he told The NLP. “There are some really top teams, managers and coaches, some big clubs in that league.
“However, it has never been in my DNA to take a job where your target is just to stay in the league. I will always set the bar high and I want to finish as high in the table as we can.
“When Darren Freeman was manager, he won the Isthmian South and Premier back to back. Hopefully it will be déjà vu!”
What gives Saunders extra reason for optimism this summer is his new additions. For starters, he has raided Hastings United to snap up Jack Dixon, Ryan Worrall (both midfielders) and striker Ben Pope.
“I’ve been a long-time admirer of all of them,” he admitted, “but I’ve never been in a position to get them over the line. They are top, top players, proven at this level and they are great additions to our squad.”
Buzzing
Saunders has also captured a couple of players with previous Whitehawk connections in striker Javaun Splatt and defender Tom Cadman. The former ended last term at Leatherhead while Cadman arrives from Haywards Heath.
“Javaun hit the ground running for us last year, but Worthing came in and he decided he wanted to try his luck in the Conference,” said Saunders. “He moved on to Billericay and Leatherhead, and now I’m really pleased to have him back on board.
“I had Tom at Haywards Heath. With a good pre-season under his belt and a change of scenery, it will do him the world of good.
“So far it’s been a good summer. I’m still trying to add a couple more, but we are at a stage where the squad is nearly complete so we can be really picky with the players we bring into the group.”
Whatever happens in the future, Saunders will always be able to look back fondly on a promotion campaign with a club dear to his heart.
“I live a couple of minutes from the ground and I grew up watching Whitehawk play,” explained Saunders, who works as a surveyor.
“I go back a very long time with the club.
“Winning the play-offs was a fantastic achievement. The players were brilliant for me last year and so was the club – they wanted to progress and I was pleased to be able to get them over the line.
“The plans for the club going forward are really exciting and I’m buzzing to be part of it. There’s a great vibe around the place and it’s really tight-knit with the players and supporters.
“With Brighton doing so well in the Premier League, it’s a hotbed for football at the moment. Both clubs have had great seasons and everyone is really enjoying their football as a result.”