Spragg confident Clipstone have foundations to improve

The Cobras ended their aborted East Midlands Counties League Premier Division in a lowly 15th spot as the club continues to rebuild from a barren two years.

And Spragg, who took charge at the start of the season alongside boss Dave Hoole, feels confident the foundations are now in place to bring better times back to the Lido Ground.

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“We want to be higher up the table and not looking at the relegation places,” he said. “It is certainly something we are looking at as a management team and players.

“We have got a lot of ambition and we want to stabilise and progress and look at a mid-table to top half finish.

“Myself and Dave Hoole came in with a clean slate for a total rebuild in pre-season.

“As the season went on the group bonded and there is a good vibe around the place.”

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Spragg says the Clipstone will look to bring in a couple more players but confirmed the management duo were happy with the nucleus of the current squad.

“We started with a new group of lads, and young lads as well,” he said. “Since the turn of the year things have been really buoyant.

“We have a good nucleus already and are more than happy with what we have got.

“We are looking to strengthen our squad and make it stronger. We have used this down time to our advantage, and no doubt other teams will be doing the same.

“We are more than happy with where we are at this time.”

But, while the teams across the league face an uncertain few months ahead, Spragg is confident the EMCFL Premier Division will still be a tough league next season.

He added: “I am not 100 per cent sure about how the other teams will shape up next year, what we did find out last year is that there are some good teams in the league and it is a good solid league.

“We have got a good idea where we need to be as a club going forward next season and I would like to think we will be competitive next year.

And he says that the improved atmosphere around Clipstone is down to plenty of hard work from everyone involved.

“From our first discussions with the committee it was evident we were singing off the same hymn sheet in terms of the long-term plan,” he added.

“It is a long term project and it is about getting the right blocks in place to give the club a good foundation as a whole.

“It is important we got the right people in place to support what we want to do going forward,” he added.

“We have Malc Siddall (goalkeeping coach), Josh Waldram (first team coach) and we have two real good sports therapists in Emma Young and Tom Maloney.”

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“They are very innovative and hands on for what we want to achieve going forward.

“We have been fortunate to have two good students on board, they are really proactive in their ideas and ways to prevent injuries.”