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The new season will commence with both senior teams under new management. Karlton Stratford moves from his joint manager’s role of last season to take over the reins completely in a First Team set up in which the ex-Coventry City player has appointed James (“Sprocket”) Foote as his assistant. Meanwhile, long-standing player Layi Olubaji is the popular choice as manager of the Second Team. Layi will rely upon Andy Rogers to assist him, especially in relation to the club’s efforts to introduce its most talented youth players into the game at this higher level.
Following its consolidating return to the HellenicPremier Division last season, the First Team will be looking for a mid table or better finish at the end of the new season during which the team will also be aiming to have successful runs in a number of cup competitions, not least being the FA Vase. It is expected that the majority of last season’s
First Team squad will form the basis of this season’s Premier Division squad although Karlton will obviously be looking to add strength in certain key areas. The Second Team will continue to play in Division 2 (West) of the same league and will be seeking to improve upon performances over recent seasons.
As well as these exciting on-field prospects, there is equal excitement about what is happening off the field of play. In addition to the new floodlights that were installed just before Christmas last year, the club is waiting with eager anticipation to the opening of the Sports & Social Club’s new four dressing rooms’ clubhouse. The clubhouse will be ready for use for the first home match of the season in the second week of September when the extensions to the existing covered accommodation for seated and standing spectators will already be installed, thereby making The Bourne a superb venue for football at this level, with covered accommodation for no less than 200 spectators, including those with a disability.
But, despite the ability of its teams and the facilities it provides, a club is only as strong and successful as the level of support it commands. In this respect, Hooky is, once again, fortunate and indebted to its main sponsor, Smiths of Bloxham for agreeing to support the club for the new season, as have many other local businesses and individuals to whom the club is also most grateful. Irrespective of this continuing and loyal support, the club nevertheless still requires additional funding to sustain football at the current (regional) level and, with this in mind, sponsorship packages to suit all pockets have been devised and can be viewed elsewhere on this website. In the event that you may wish to take advantage of one of these opportunities, please contact Secretary, Garnet Thomas on 01295 277918 or via email: thomasz@tiscali.co.uk
Let’s hope that Season 2008/2009 is a great one for Hook Norton Football Club.
Up the Hooky!
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