Exclusive interview with Eagles’ manager
November was a non-event for non-league football with lockdown two meaning no matches were played in the Pitching In Southern League, but as we go into December competitive games are due to resume for Bedford Town.
The Eagles had an undefeated run in October which saw them climb the table to the play off places, as well as qualify for the first round proper of the Buildbase FA Trophy in the last competitive match before lockdown.
On the day Boris Johnson announced the end of lockdown, Bedford Bulletin exclusively caught up with Eagles manager Gary Setchell and asked him how he was finding his time at the Eyrie, “I knew when I met Jon Taylor (Director) and James Smiles (Secretary) there was the ambition that could feed my own ambition as a manager, and that I would also be taking over a club that has been under achieving for best part of a decade at step four.
“When I took on the role the squad was not fit enough for how I like my teams to play and was very lopsided with four or five defenders and five or six forwards, so the first thing we had to do was get the boys fit and balance the squad.
“We have brought in Charley Sanders (Defence), Danny Setchell (midfield) and Alex Street (goalkeeper) which has strengthened the squad, and they are all players I have worked with before. I know what they can do and the type of characters they are, but I have added them to what is already a talented group of players.
“The boys have been superb, they have trained hard with myself and my coaching team of Daz (Darren Edey), Graham (Tomlinson), Sam Gaugren and (Jack) Mudge. All buying into the work ethic which I think has been shown with our rise up the league and two big away FA Trophy performances.”
Looking to future matches he continued: “The break probably came at the wrong time but has given us a chance to get Sincs (Rob Sinclair) and Macca (Craig Mackail-Smith) fit.
“The squad has been ticking over individually, so I have no doubts once lockdown ends we can hopefully land running and after today’s announcement, hopefully in front of our fans.
“The Bedford fans have been fantastic and can make the difference in a game, and I know they will be there supporting the boys in our tough upcoming fixtures.”
For further matches in December and the very latest updates, visit www.bedfordeagles.net
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