With the season coming to a premature end, we are back where we started………
We caught up with the Worsbrough Bridge Manager Lee Morris to chat about the 2019/20 season that never was…..
The season ended prematurely what are you thoughts on the decision?
LM – Like most clubs it was a frustrating end to a hard season but ultimately the right decision. With the ground flooding (twice) and then with the Coronavirus and players not training or playing for several weeks it would have been pretty much like starting a new pre-season. Frustrated but right decision. The main priority right now is the health of everyone and doing the right things to stay safe, so for me it was the right decision.
After finishing last season in 7th place in NCEL what are your reflections on this season’s campaign?
LM – From a league point of view our form was disappointing for me personally and for the club. I have learnt a lot about myself as a manager, probably more than in the previous 3 seasons and take the responsibility along with my management team. As I look back pre-season was not ideal, we started the campaign lacking match time and we never really caught up from that. We tried to change the way we played and there are some learning’s for me as we move forward into next season.
What pleased you and what disappointed you?
LM – I was pleased with how we performed in the cup competitions, reaching the Semi Final of the Sheffield Senior Cup and last 16 of the NCEL Cup and I feel for the players and supporters that we weren’t able to play the Semi-Final and see what happened. On occasions I thought some of our league displays were excellent, but we just weren’t consistent enough on a week by week basis.
I also look at the infrastructure of club and I think we are much better, it was great to give debuts to some of the lads from the U21’s such as Dominic Claxton, Luke McGinnell and Callum Turner as well as some of the Barnsley College lads like Harry Scott, Will Harling, Billy Goose, Maxim Hague amongst others. There also seems to be some good young lads coming through the U19s which for me is fantastic to see.
In terms of disappointments probably as I said earlier pre-season cancellations of games started us of on the wrong foot, we also struggled with a consistent team selection and I think it took until January / February before we could name the same starting 11 for one reason or another. However we look at the season I think we have to do better as a Management Team.
So what’s next, we know the season never ends so how are you keeping busy?
LM – Yeah it never stops and I have already started to look at our pre-season programme and am working on a range of friendlies which will hopefully give us the chance to raise some money as a club and also test the players before we start next season. We have already confirmed a few teams home and away which will hopefully excite the supporters so watch this space. I will keep looking to strengthen areas to give us more continuity in player selection next time round, so yeah plans are already underway.
Final word for now?
Yes I just want to thank all the players and management staff for their support last season and also to the supporters who turned up in bigger numbers this season. Also a big thanks to the sponsors and volunteers who dedicate time and money to try and make us better. I hope everyone stays safe and we can come back together next season.
On behalf of everyone at Worsbrough Bridge AFC we want to thank Lee, David Taylor and Joe Thornton for their hard work in what has been an eventful season and wish them a happy and their families a happy and healthy summer.