Yellawomen’s supremo Andy Cox reflects on historic season
Following Ascot United Women’s historic title-winning weekend and promotion to Step four of the football pyramid, ascotunited.net caught up with manager Andy Cox now the euphoria has died down.
Actually, it hasn’t – for everyone around the club – let’s lap this one up! And, he took time out on his own travels to answer our questions. Here you go…
Andy, firstly many congratulations to you and the team on securing the title and promotion, can you sum up for us what your emotions were just after full time?
“Mixed Emotions; Finally! Ecstatic! Thoroughly deserved! I felt all of them. On the day I could feel a nervousness not only in the dressing room but around the ground. Having come so close during the previous years, a massive weight was lifted off everyone’s shoulders.
This showed in the way we started the game. Once we scored the first goal, I knew we were on our way. This squad is too good not go have gone on to have won the game from there. If you could have written a script on when we won the league, it would have been a home fixture with a heavy win, and a Beth [Lloyd] hat-trick in the final minute to break [our] league goalscoring records.”
Looking back on when you first stepped into the role, what were you feeling and what were your aspirations?
“Recruitment before my time was a big part in winning the league this season. These foundations were already in place when I stepped in. With the quality in the squad, I would have seen it as a massive failure to not have taken this squad to the next level. I had work to do to steady the ship and the players deserve credit in performing to the highest levels week in week out.
The balance of the side needed addressing and we picked what we believed were the best 16 players available to us from a squad of around 20-25 who played weekly.”
We got over the line last weekend with an ultimately comfortable win over Selsey, but looking at them early-on the fans were thinking “why are they where they are in the league?” They asked a few questions of us, so what’s your take on them, the game, and how we managed it?
“They were a young physical side with nothing to lose; we were nervous the first 15 minutes but the game but settled after the first goal. Our experience in controlling games when in front has been a key point in getting us over the line this season. It was difficult going in at half time 3-0 up knowing that we had pretty much won the game and league. But, yet again, we stepped up our performance and put on a champagne display to win the game in style.”
This season we’ve had the benefit of great support on the terraces with the best away following in the league; we go back to Sholing on a stormy winter away-day with 30-plus travelling down . With so many youngsters we are also reliant on parents, partners and friends to facilitate it all. What do you have to say to them?
“THANK YOU!
Football is an entertainment sport, and we hope we have put in performances that have been as good as your support has. The noise around the game at the final whistle showed what this meant to everyone at this club. The banner was a great touch to worthy champions, both on and off the pitch.”
And on the subject of the younger crop, we had six or seven players who’ve represented the Under 18’s this season featuring in that win over Selsey, and Keziah [Banduka] was player of the match. U18’s manager Stuart Connor and his conveyor belt of talent are something to be proud of, right?
“As you know I am still coaching the U18’ this season and there is no doubt of the talent pool coming through now at the younger ages is exceptional. By introducing the U18 girls to the senior section training has been a huge success. We have used several of the girls also across the reserve team of which has given them the experience required.
A big shout out also to the Reserve Team (Ryan and Lewis). Not only have we been using the U18’s to gain experience, but Ryan and Lewis have also been feeding the 1st team with players of which have shown huge improvement throughout the season. They have made them game ready for the 1st team.
I would also like to say a gig thanks to Perry (GK Coach), Will (1st Team Coach), Jodie (Physio) and Hannah (Strength and Conditioning coach) for all their support this season.”
We’ve got 3 games left including a cup final and I know you want to keep your standards high and win all of them. But we can’t help thinking about next season already. What are your thoughts on the challenge of what is a big step up to tier 4 football, the current squad’s potential to do well and what else we might need to do to be competitive?
“Two league Wins and a Cup Final win is the target. We want to go the season unbeaten in both league and league cup competitions. We will work hard in training this week and prepare for Woodley [next weekend].
It is a big step, however we have momentum and we need to keep improving and building on the recent success. We cannot stand still. We have the coaches, physios, and strength and conditioning support to build on the physical demands required at step four. Two training sessions per week are a must-have, adding in with strength and conditioning will also be a big plus. We need put recruit well again this season and I can image now being in step four we will attract players from across Berkshire and other local Counties.
We won’t have the budgets of other sides in the league so we must find marginal gains to stay competitive, but we invite the challenge and look forward to what lies ahead. We have [already] been planning ahead for the past couple of months, so we hope to be in a good place once the season starts.”
And one final word about club legend Darrel [Evans]. From manager through tiers 7 to 5, then to supporter on the terrace. It’s a loaded question, but he set the foundations for all this – what do you have to say about what he catalysed?
“When I took up the role, I wanted to get this club to the next level for the players and staff that have been at the club for years, the Supporters, but more importantly Darrel. I know what this club means to him.
This one is for you, mate. When couldn’t have done it without you!”
Andy, I couldn’t have summed it up better. From a club perspective, you and the team have done us proud and kept the standards hight both on and off the pitch. It’s been a huge pleasure watching this team develop and all credit to you, the staff, and most of the players. Best wishes for the next two league games and, of course, the cup final.