So here we go again!
The time for talking is over and once again we sit days away from the chaos that is another football season that will consume our lives for the next nine to ten months.
Pre-season is over and now it is time to put all the hard work into practice and make a strong start to what most people hope will be another big season for Needham Market.
And the signals are good!
First and foremost, the squad is pretty settled with very little movement in terms of incomings and more importantly outgoings.
Keeping the core of the side that looked so comfortable at tier five for the first time and will be vital to being competitive again.
But being competitive is the least the club are looking for as they hope to follow neighbours Sudbury in winning promotion to tier four and progress in all the cup competitions including a successful Suffolk cup defence.
The omens look good after a strong preseason programme that saw back-to-back home matches against National League Norwich City and Northampton Town with a draw and narrow defeat showing that we can mix with those teams that we hope to play more often.
Players are also looking sharp with Lina Nagib scoring plenty and looking to regain the form that made her top scorer in Needham’s title winning season two seasons ago.
Another player making her mark in pre-season was Leilah Gooding, who came to the club earlier this year, has nowsettled in and will add her quality to the engine room.
With a few more additions likely to be made to an already strong squad then Needham will fancy themselves against anyone this season.
First up is a trip to newly formed club St Albans, who played under the guise of Colney Heath last season and finished in the bottom three clubs.
But it’s a fresh season and all teams may look a little different so they can’t be underestimated, but knowing the strength of Needham then it is a game the club should be looking to win to make a strong start to the new league campaign.
It will likely be another battle with Stevenage and Luton for top honours – and they will be tough - but there is plenty of optimism that this Needham squad can gain another promotion and take the club to the National League.
Here is to the next ten months of ups and downs that will hopefully see Needham come out on top and take this ambitious club to new heights!
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