Ahead of the North West Counties Division One South Season kicking off on 30th July, we caught up with Ammies Manager Shane Goldrick to get his views on the new season.

Q: Shane, you had a great season last year but narrowly missed out on promotion through the playoffs and getting to the quarter finals of both cup competitions, What are your aims for this season?

SG: We were really pleased with how the lads performed last season, but obviously disappointed to come up just short in our push for promotion and in the cup competitions. We have managed to strengthen the squad over the summer and so we will be aiming to be at the top end of the league again this year and looking to have as long a run in the cup competitions as possible. It looks to be an open league this season with lots of teams targeting the play-off spots so we know we will have to work hard all season if we are to get back into the top five again this season.

Q: Speaking of strengthening the squad can you tell us about the new signings you have made over the summer?

SG: We have managed to retain the majority of last season’s squad which is a big plus, but we are pleased to have been able to make several additions as well. Joe Bevan and Jake Pollard have joined us from New Mills off the back of a successful season. I have been trying to get Joe signed up for the last few seasons and I am delighted to have finally made him an Ammie. He will offer us a constant goal threat up front, whilst also being able to run the channels and link up
the play with our midfield. Jake is a talented midfielder who will bring additional quality and competition to our midfield, and I hope will also chip in with valuable goals throughout the season. I am also pleased to have secured the return of Paul Riley. Paul is a quality centre half who has great positional sense and quality on the ball as well as being a good defender. He was a huge hit with the fans when he last played for us, and I am confident he will be a huge success again this season.

Q: We start the season with a home game against Alsager Town, how important is it to get off to a good start?

SG: This is the first of six home games we have in the opening month of the season and so it is crucial that we get off to a winning start and build up our confidence and momentum for the rest of the season. We know Alsager have recruited well over the summer and so it will be a difficult game on Saturday, but the lads have had a good summer and a tough pre-season and are itching to get playing and so hopefully we can start off with 3 points.

Q: We have seen the Ammies Youth teams putting in great performances at National and International Tournaments over the summer, the potential we have coming through must really
excite you?

SG: Yes, as a management team and together with director of Football, Rob Brown, we have been keeping a very close eye on how the Youth teams have been performing. We have already seen in recent seasons with the likes of Gabby Mooney-Munoz and Keith Kanakulya, that there is a pathway to progress from our junior teams into the first team squad, and I anticipate that there will be more making the jump over the course of this season, with the likes of Dylan
Walker, Sam Goodwin and Basit Yussuf all making appearances during pre-season and training well with the squad. We are working closely as a section now with Dave Copeland and his management team to ensure that there is a clear pathway from our thriving junior section into senior football and for the top talent to progress into the first team squad. I will certainly be keeping a close eye on how the Reserve Team and the Youth teams get on in their respective league and cup competitions.

We thank Shane for taking the time to speak to us ahead of the season and wish him and the team the best of luck for the 2022/23 season.