Ground Improvements:
“Preparations for the 2021/22 football season at Beer Albion Football Club are now complete and there is a strong air of excitement and optimism as the start date approaches writes Richard Honnor.
The pitch at the Furzebrake has never looked better following a programme of intensive care endorsed by FA pitch advisers. A new automatic sprinkler system has been installed and a regular maintenance plan deployed to sustain good drainage and a pristine, level playing surface. A new grass cutter is also on order to boost the club’s armoury of modern ground machinery.
New Clubhouse
Off pitch, the new extension has been completed and the Club was delighted to have East Devon sporting legend Collin Goodwin perform the opening ceremony on 24th July in front of 200 spectators and visitors. It was a great social occasion with two pre-season friendlies being played and plentiful refreshments on offer.
The new clubhouse is bright and spacious and has a welcoming bar with excellent bar and kitchen facilities. As anticipated, the clubhouse has already being opened for village community actives and private functions as well as for pre-season friendly matches and televised sporting events.
Neither the pitch nor the clubhouse improvements would have been possible without significant grant funding from a variety of sources but the most important factor was the hard work of club volunteers who offered their time and skills free of charge.
On field
On the playing side, the Club is delighted that once more Mark Rooke has agreed to take charge as 1st team manager. Alan Potter has stepped down to be replaced by Billy Long as Assistant Manager. Thanks go to Alan for his support to Mark over the last 2 seasons.
Jamie Bond and Chris Driver will take up the 2nd team reins after Tom Neale has had to step down due to work commitments. All credit is due to Tom who along with Chris enjoyed a very successful period in charge of the Reserves.
The club has made great progress on the field during Mark’s tenure. Some fine new players have been introduced over the last two seasons but Mark has struck a nice balance between youth and experience in his squad.
Mark and the management team have created a real sense of team spirit throughout the whole club and almost every player with the club last season has re-signed. It is true that a number of young players will be missing for much of the time due to Further Education commitments ( e.g. Uni) but the club has been strengthened by the arrival of some exciting new signings, namely, forwards Josh French, Tony Pinder and Reece Best, midfielder Will House and central defender Charlie Ledger. All the newbies have slotted in very well in pre-season matches and training.
The 1st’s have produced some creditable performances in pre-season friendlies. They narrowly lost 3-2 to SW Peninsula League Honiton and by the same margin to Chard Town of the Somerset County League. But 3-0 victories were achieved against Devon Football League opposition Clyst Valley Rangers, and Devon and Exeter League rivals Colyton.
Meanwhile Beer 2nd’s have had two comfortable victories, 4-1 against Devon and Exeter rivals Teignmouth Reserves, and 6-2 against Sidmouth A.
Devon and Exeter League fixtures start on 21st August and Beer 1st’s start with a Premier Division match away at at Kentisbeare whilst the 2nd’s open their Division 2 campaign at home against Newton St Cyres 2nd’s, 3pm kick off at the Furzebrake. Spectators, old and new, are warmly invited.”
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