We are trying to assemble a bunch of players and staff who are willing to fight for one another, fight for their shirt and give their all for Crockenhill FC, says manager Chris Sundborg

CROCKENHILL manager Chris Sundborg says he is relishing the chance of learning the ropes of management.

 

The Crocks host Bromley based Holmesdale tomorrow and go into the local derby sitting in the bottom four in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, with a playing record of five wins and five draws from their 24 league games.

Crockenhill have gone six games without a win, while Ian Varley’s Holmesdale arrive at Wested Meadow sitting in seventh-place in the league table.

Sundborg, who is searching for a new assistant manager, said: “Tomorrow’s game against Holmesdale will be tough.  They have won three league games on the bounce and gave Sheppey a fright in the Cup.

“While we have had a hard month or so, behind the scenes our assistant manager Uche Ibemere has left followed by a few players including our top scorer Tulani Pama, who has joined Forest Hill Park.

“We have had other players come in so we’re trying to now get a settled side once again at this stage of the season and that is a challenge.

“We gave Steve McQueen a start-up top last week and he scored twice so hopefully he can score the goals that Tulani was scoring before he left and help us pick up some points again.

“I have some really talented players here but in recent weeks they have been playing as individuals and not showing the team spirt we had in previous months when we were picking up good results.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to improve team spirt and are trying to assemble a bunch of players and staff who are willing to fight for one another, fight for their shirt and give their all for Crockenhill FC.”

Crockenhill don’t have a budget, floodlights and a bleak future at Step Six but Sundborg is enjoying his first managerial job at the age of 30.

“I know we don’t have a budget but when I see the likes of K Sports who we played last week getting results week-in-week-out it shows you money isn’t everything,” he said.

“Of course, it would be nice to have a budget but I am not going to complain  as I knew what I was taking on before I took the job.

“I am only 30 years old and in my first season managing at this level and I’m learning so much with every week that passes.  I love a challenge and as I said before as a young manager this experience has brought me on so much and I am enjoying every minute of it.”

K Sports beat Crockenhill 6-3 at home on their artificial pitch last weekend and the Crockenhill manager said: “Hopefully we can get back to winning ways tomorrow but we’re under no illusions. We know it will be a tough battle but the lads had a great training session and I am hoping they take that onto the pitch tomorrow.

“Last week against K Sports we battled really well and never throw in the towel but we shot ourselves in the foot really.  Scoring an own goal and giving away a penalty (albeit a controversial decision in our opinion),.

“We just lacked quality at times as we had a few suspensions and injuries and some of the lads who came in done a job for us but have never really played at this level and the decision making and fitness wasn’t where we needed it to be.

“This week we have a stronger squad available so I am hoping to compete and get a good result.”

Crockenhill  v  Holmesdale
Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 4^th February 2017
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Wested Meadow, Eynsford Road, Crockenhill, Kent BR8 8EJ