New Towners boss calls for 'patience' on eve of new season

Andrew Warshaw on how preparations are going for Enfield Town FC ahead of the start of the new season this weekend

The Dave Bryant Stadium and (inset) Enfield Town FC manager Billy Holland

Be patient – that’s the message to Enfield Town fans from manager Billy Holland as the club embarks on a new season back at step three of the non-league pyramid.

Billy admits his team have been “thrown in the deep end” after they were handed a tough opening start to the Isthmian Premier Division campaign, which begins on Saturday, 8th August with an away trip to Lewes at the delightfully-named Dripping Pan.

That is followed by a pair of home fixtures against heavily-resourced St Albans and Ramsgate, and then a visit to promotion contenders Brentwood.

“Those first few games are very, very difficult,” said Billy, who took over from Gavin Macpherson after the club’s relegation from National League South at the end of last season and continues to develop his squad.

“We certainly haven’t had it easy as far as August is concerned. They are all big boys, along with Chatham. Brentwood almost got promoted and with the players they’ve signed, and their budget, they’ll be right up there.

“Lewes may have had a bad season by their own high standards last season but I can’t see them replicating that. St. Albans have spent big and Ramsgate sacked their last manager because he didn’t spend enough! It’s sink or swim but let’s take the first five games or so and see where we are.”

The former Waltham Abbey boss has had to deal with the usual comings and goings during pre-season as he tries to build the best squad possible; players he thought he had but who changed their minds for various reasons, others who he decided did not quite fit the club’s ethos.

Yet, Billy has an air of calm authority about him that augurs well. “I’m used to this sort of thing,” he told the Dispatch. “As a non-league manager, you always have to have a plan B, even plan C. What I will say is that I have gone for characters, making sure our changing room is a happy place. I’ve learned over the years that while players may be very good at football, some are in it for themselves.

“Everyone I sign will have ability but must also have the fight to get us to where we need to go.”

And where is that?

“I’m gradually getting my head around the fact that we are a big club at this level and our ambition is the play-offs. If we can get ourselves into a decent enough position by, say Christmas, that’s a realistic goal because, by then, you’ve played everyone and know where your targets lie.

“But patience is going to be key.”

View Enfield Town FC’s full fixture list for the new season:
Visit etfc.london/matches

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