THE SEASON AHEAD.....

After successfully retaining the Premier League for a third consecutive season and going on to win the LFA Sunday Trophy and Challenge Cup I have to say that the 2009 / 2010 turned out to be a tremendous season for the club. This coming season brings new challenges and with the loss of Luke Atherton, Lee Dovey and Andy Richards we need to ensure we replace these players. Luke Atherton has secured a contract at Bamber Bridge FC following in the steps of Adam Tong so we'd like to wish Luke all the best.

Over the pre-season we have made several new quality signings; Dave Fisher, Alex Randell, James Brindle, Alex Morris, Gavin Edmonds, Kevin Nutter, Matt Sheils, Ian Bland, Stuart Pike and we are hopeful that we can add to this before the season starts.

During last season Charlie Sanderson, Scott Ryding and Craig Banks all suffered long term injuries. We are hoping that all 3 can recover in time for the coming season thus meaning that we see a lot more football from them.

The LEPSFL is getting stronger and stonger. Our main rivals Acregate and New Meadow Street will no doubt improve their squads for the start of the season and both always give us hard fought games and I expect nothing less this season. I also believe the teams that will do very well this season are New Farrington House because they have a very good squad and proved this last season in the LFA that they are a match for anyone. Paul Paynter has steadied the ship at Greenlands and they are now looking a very strong team and with a couple of additions to the squad I think they could do very well indeed.

Our first game of the season is away to Unicorn and we always know this is a tough fixture for us because they raise thier game and I expect the 22nd August to be no different. Unicorn will once again boast a big squad and I hope Dixie sticks to his guns by buying all the AFC Lostock Hall players a pint if we win.

The draw has been made for the LFA and we play Weston FC at home from the Pendle league, should we progress past these we could meet Quilligans who we beat in last seasons final and this will be no easy task as they will definitely want revenge. If we are to get past Quills we could meet Acregate in the 3rd round so to have a good run in this seasons trophy we really need to hit the ground running and possibly play our best football from the off.

My hopes for the season are that we play great football and that everyone enjoys it. Of course we will have to be at our very best all season if we are to retain the Premier League, LFA, and Challenge Cup and the players know what is expected from them week in, week out so I hope that the football season is not interrupted by the weather conditions like last year because we had to play catch up all season.

Good luck to everyone at the club this season.

The Gaffer