Letter From The Manager - Richard Kay

RICHARD KAY

I would like to firstly welcome the staff, players and committee of Malmesbury Victoria to BHP for todays Hellenic league game.

Its another very tough game with our visitors pushing to be in the conversation for the playoffs. Since the beginning of the season it feels like we have played top 8 sides every week. Such is how the fixtures have worked out in the early part of the season

It’s been another gruelling schedule for us as staff and players. The Hartpury game rounded off 6 games in 14 days with a couple of monster away games in terms of travel thrown in. I’ve tried to utilise the squad as much as possible to navigate this hectic period and not pick up injuries. A lot of changes have been made in the midweek cup games to give us any chance of picking up points in the league.

This period now from November-March separates the men from boys in non league football. The weather becomes poor, the nights draw in and the pitches become heavy. For my staff and the majority of players it’s all new. The schedule, the travel and relentless nature of semi professional non league football. We are a massive work in progress and this season is a huge learning curve. We have made huge strides since the beginning of the season but the process is long with a lot of ups and downs.

As a team, individually and collectively, we are consistently inconsistent which is to be expected. We can play at a very

high level as shown against Pershore and Clanfield but then be very sloppy and inexperienced in some other games. There is a lot of factors that now determine performance. Quality of opposition, budgets, travel etc at this level. You can only gain the necessary experience by going through the highs and lows. From the entire staff and players only myself and a handful of players from our 18 man squad have experience of this level or higher. It’s not a quick process on, or off, the pitch but we are definitely going in the right direction.

BHP is getting the love and dedication it has needed for years which will benefit the local community greatly. Mike deserves huge credit for grabbing BHP by the scruff of the neck and working tirelessly to provide a community facility.

Were nowhere near other clubs in terms of resources but since the re launch in 2019 the club has built a heart and soul that is unique and is why we have a chance of being competitive on the pitch. Everyone associated with the club should be very proud. I cant ask anymore from my staff and players that continue to represent the club for the love of the game.

I would also like to wish Mike a Happy Birthday from myself, the staff, players and everyone associated with the club!

Enjoy the game

UTS

Rich Kay