Welcome Back - Ben Tennant

WELCOME BACK BEN!

AFTER THE 2020/21 SEASON WAS ABBREVIATED DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK THE CLUB WENT THROUGH A TIME OF CHANGE; FROM THE PLAYERS AND STAFF, TO OWNERSHIP AND THE RUNNING OF BOBBY HANCOCKS PARK. ONE OF THOSE CHANGES SAW THE EVER POPULAR, AND EVER-PRESENT FIGURE ON THE BACK-LINE, BEN TENNANT LEAVE THE CLUB. AFTER A SEASON PLAYING ELSEWHERE AND HONING HIS CRAFT AWAY FROM BHP HE IS BACK FOR THE 2022/23 SEASON AND IS READY TO HELP THE TEAM IN THEIR FIRST SEASON BACK AT STEP 6 SINCE THE RE-LAUNCH IN 2019. WE SPOKE WITH BEN AND DISCUSSED RE-JOINING THE TEAM, THE CHANGES IN THE SQUAD AND THE CLUB, HIS LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES, AND HOW HE BELIEVES THE RECENT ROLLER-COASTER OF RESULTS WILL EVEN OUT SOON.

You’re back in the squad after a season away. How does it feel to be back at Southam?

“It’s good to be back. A lot of things have changed since I was last with Southam; new additions to the side and coaching staff, the way the clubs being ran with the clubhouse upstairs and the match day atmosphere. Everything feels a lot better all round.

Some of your former teammates are also back in the team (Simon, The Champkins, Kyle, etc.) but the back-line is

mostly changed, including keeper Lewis Hudson. How has it been adjusting back into the side and the new players around you in that position?

It’s nice seeing familiar faces but all the lads have welcomed me back and it feels like I never left. I’ve felt comfortable slotting back in I just need to get myself back to full fitness like I was when I previously played. We look to be building quite an experienced and comfortable back line, we just need to build a relationship which I’m sure will come the more we play together. >>

The club is at Step 6 this year and playing in a strong league. How are you finding the competition compared the last time you were with Southam?

We had a very young and strong side when I was previously at Southam and arguably playing way off the standard we should have been at the time. Personally for me I am just getting up to speed with the fitness and pace of this level as having time away from it and also not having a proper pre-season has shocked me a bit coming back and playing. I think at this point of the season we’re starting to build a stronger side and can push up the table where I believe we can and should be and also have a strong finish in the competitive cup competitions we are in.

You’re still feeling your way back into Rich’s plans and the tactics surrounding the management’s style of play. What do you think you bring to the pitch; individually, and as part of the team that Rich will be looking for?

I think being 27 now I bring a bit of experience to the side having played at this level and above most of my career. I like to think I have a fairly decent left foot so can play football out from the back and play the ball in to dangerous positions. I know what Rich wants from me and that is to get myself fully match fit, which I am working hard to do in the gym as games are coming thick and fast at the minute.

The team has seen some up-and-down results since the beginning of the season. Is it still the belief in the squad that it’s due to a step up in play? Or are there things that are being actively worked on to create the results you’re looking for?

Rich has added some great coaches to the fold which are always giving us ways in which we can improve both personally and as a team. The feel around the team from a personal point of view is really good and the relationship between us all is good at the minute. I think we need to come together and prove that we are good enough to be amongst the top teams in the league which we have proved running Pershore close, narrowly losing 1-0, then defeating Clanfield, which I believe was our best performance of the season.

There are some great leaders on this team with players like Simon, Andy Yeates, and Wokko on the pitch. How do you see your role in the leadership and your play on the pitch?

All three players have good experience at a top level and I see myself amongst these lads. Previously having been a vice captain I know I have what it takes to be a leader in a team and also see myself as quite a positive figure in a changing room. I’ve always been a massive believer that if you work on being friends and having a good relationship off the pitch then you perform better on the pitch. That’s one thing I’m trying to do is be quite a lively figure and get all the lads together. To do with the football side I am just going to work hard and put 100% in when I’m on the pitch, try and push the side from the back by being strong defensively and playing out from the back to give our forward players the best possible chances. >>

Going into the game this weekend the team is going up against a team that, besides a defeat in their last match, they haven’t lost in 6 matches. Southam seems to do well this season against stronger, top half of the table, teams. What are management and the players focusing on going into the match?

Unfortunately I will be missing the game this weekend, which I’m gutted about, but I am going to Brussels for the weekend, so I will be supporting over the phone checking the Twitter for updates and wish all the lads the best of luck. We’ve moved in to winter training now so the focus is massively on sharpness and playing with the ball at our feet under pressure. After the performance last game all the management and team agreed that we need to get back to basics and start winning the first and second balls which then boosts the confidence across the pitch. Winning the second ball in football is so important and it takes the pressure off you and allows you to build on the game.

The club has grown leaps and bounds; on the pitch, but especially off the pitch, in terms of management, the clubhouse and all of the ongoing projects. What are your thoughts on the directions the club are taking and the plans for the future?

From the minute I joined I could see the progress off the pitch. Everyone at the club has worked really hard. It’s great to see the work going on in the clubhouse and I’m looking forward to seeing the new floor which has been put down. Mike looks to be doing a fantastic job getting the club back on its feet and hopefully as a team we can return all the hard work by winning something this season. It’s great to see so many match day volunteers helping out and I would like to thank everyone who does so much for us to make our match day that little bit more special from turning up, to having all our kit and training wear, to finishing the game and having food to share with the lads. >>

Finally, any words for the supporters as they come out to BHP for the match against Malmesbury Victoria?

I really hope the lads can put on a big performance for everyone coming to watch against Malmesbury and can get three points on the board. Thank you to everyone who comes and watches us week in week out. It’s really appreciated and having people cheering us on makes the hard work worth it. And to the away supporters I hope you enjoy all the match day surroundings at BHP and a safe travel.•