Ritchie Hanlon Interview

[Hatboy]

From the website.

 

Until the Lippiatt era, pre-season at Clarence Park was often the scene of the sort of revolving door that characterises much of the non-league game. But with the backbone of the Saints side still largely intact from the previous three campaigns, alongside a clutch of new signings, there seems every reason for optimism ahead of the August 11th kick-off.

 

 

Manager Ritchie Hanlon was keen to stress this to Saintsnet in an interview that underlined the extent to which budgetary constraints play a large role in shaping the make-up of a still developing squad. The recent departure of Leon Archer and impending exit of playmaker Tom Davis epitomise this, with Hanlon asserting how regardless of transfer fees the greater relevance lies in the balancing of the week to week budget and building a squad "full of hungry players who want to play for the club".

 

Hanlon strongly emphasised the effort being put in at Clarence Park, highlighting how himself and new player-assistant Mark Beard "are trying to build and achieve something...everyone is working so hard behind the scenes". And such work appears to be paying off, with the signing of ex-Spurs trainee and former Stevenage striker Hector Mackie complementing the capture of experienced duo Beard and Paul Bruce, players who "people have to remember last year won FA Trophy and Conference National winners' medals respectively".

 

New goalkeeper Nicky Eyre - a 21 year-old former England youth international alongside Wayne Rooney - was also hailed as a significant coup, with Hanlon explaining how the club "fought off competition from a number of other clubs, some of whom from a higher division". Further transfer activity - including another striker - is anticipated in the coming week.

 

And Hanlon described how the addition of Junior Harvey - a player "who really wants to play for the club"- was of huge benefit, not only in adding depth to the left-side of defence and midfield but also through the celebrity's extensive contacts and ability to "help the club behind the scenes". The friendly against Celebrity United on July 22nd forms a big part of this, with Hanlon stating how "more will be announced next week, but it will be a great family day and excellent opportunity for the club to publicise itself to the local community. We want youngsters in the area to come to see St Albans and enjoy it and not pay £50 to see Arsenal or Spurs".

 

Hanlon was also able to provide good news on the progress of long-term injury victims Ben Martin and Scott Cousins. Cousins sustained a hairline fracture of the foot over the summer (not the same leg to his horrific injury eighteen months ago) while Martin underwent a third knee operation last Friday. Both though "should be back in three to four weeks and ready for the last week in August". Also on the injury table is Guy Lopez with a slight knee problem, Hanlon does though rate the holding midfielder and will as such "give him every chance" of being involved in the final squad.

 

Finally, 29 year-old Hanlon expressed annoyance at some of the negativity apparent surrounding the composition of the squad and the reasons behind the departure of some of the playing staff such as Paul Bastock and Chris Watters, both of whom "were not at the club when I arrived". But the overriding impression was one of optimism, with a pre-season that has so far been "excellent" and a dressing room described as having "a brilliant atmosphere with a great rapport". As Hanlon pointed out, with a full pre-season programme about to be undertaken the picture will be a clearer one in just under a month's time. But under bright new management it would seem reasonable to approach the new season with guarded confidence.

 

 

 

Interview by Ben Masters