Boss says Teversal can be 'miles better' next season after last year's 'stinker'

The Tevie boys ended the voided East Midlands Counties League season third bottom in the Premier Division after injuries bit hard.

And Cook is hopeful that the Carnarvon St side will fare better next season when players return to the fold.

“We had a stinker last year,” he said. “We had a decent start, but we lost an horrendous amount of players through injury.

“We went through seven or eight players at left-back and had quite a lot of long-term knee injuries.

“We’re just looking to get those players back and then it will be better. We want to prepare, but it is hard knowing what is happening at the moment.

“We are not looking to make massive changes, I just think we will be a better side if we are more consistent in selection. I don’t think we put the same back four out in any game last season.

“The injuries were just bad luck. We just seemed to have a run of them and it can happen when you are down at the bottom.

“In a way I am looking forward to next season, so we can just start again.

“Our targets are always to finish as high as we can and challenge. It is very difficult for a club like ours, we don’t pay players or expenses.

“But my belief is we can that we can be miles better than we were last year.”

The club announced a restructure in April which will see the U18’s and U19’s disbanded, due to a step up to senior football for some players and others going over-age.

It means they will now operate a first team and reserve team set-up with all players invited to join the club’s senior set-up.

And the former Staveley MW reserve team manager knows he is likely to have a young and inexperienced side to choose from as he plots a rise up the table.

But it is something that fills him with pride as the club continues to work hard on bringing through the next generation of local lads.

“At our level of football, players can be coming for miles to play if there is payment,” he added.

“At Teversal we have got a good mix of local players. We lose a few players to other clubs because they are either good enough or for money, but ultimately we are set up to bring lads through the system.

“It is difficult as a manager because you want to win games and you want to win leagues and cups, but the main aim of the club is developing local lads, and hopefully see them go up the football pyramid.

“When I took the job I knew what it was about. When I was at Staveley I brought players through and I think that is one of the reasons why I got the job.

“The Teversal board was up front and honest, they said I'd be up against it with resources.

“We want local people to come here and want to play for their local club.

“Ten years ago 80 percent of clubs were probably working like us and now it's the other side and it’s 20 percent.”

Despite the disappointments of the last campaign, Cook knows there are still positives to take.

“We have learned a lot about some of the younger players,” he added. “If they can go into a dressing room and get beat every week and still turn up and train and put performances in, it takes character.

“The younger players have got another season of experience under their belts now. We

had at least two 17 year-olds play last year, we have a young side.

“They come from junior football and winning every week to having a season like we have had, it is character-building.

“Pre-season is a good time for us, the first team and reserves will all do it together, so the younger lads get to mix with the older lads.

“It is the best time of the season for me and I am looking forward to getting going.”

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