Club Notes July 2018

As season 2018/19 approaches the term "resting on ones laurels" comes to mind - an approach that Achilles must dismiss from our vocabulary, even after finishing "champs" in the SIL Senior League and losing semi-finalists in the Suffolk FA Senior Cup to the ultimate winners, Woodbridge Town Res.

Happily, with Luke Hillyard and Andy Coote remaining at the helm and main sponsor and coach, Trevor Childs, once again in charge of training, matters are well underway for the new campaign. A better start, as well, for the Reserves with Chris Crick and Leon Wyatt in charge and the ultra busy, Jamie King, active in the background. A further development is the adoption of Sunday Vets' club, Eastern Electricity, now re-named Achilles' Vets but continuing under the slick management of Ted Spurling. This development is perfectly logical in that several of these Vets are former Achillians in any case.

At this point the "famous" Pauls Sports & Social Club pitch looks more like a wheat field and, although the tropical weather has been most welcome, in common with most other pitches in the area, a good rain is desperately needed.

So far as the Senior squad is concerned one or two of the "elders", to use a possible relevant term, may be looking at retirement but virtually all of last season's triumphant squad have re-signed and, with one or two astute signings on the part of Luke, there is every hope that the Club will be on the trophy path once again. However, anyone out there keen on playing in either the SIL Senior Division, the SIL "A" Division, or the Suffolk & Ipswich Vets' League are most welcome to turn up at Stone Lodge Lane any Wednesday at 6 30pm.

The Friendlies pre-season agenda is as follows (2 30pm unless otherwise stated):
21 July - Stanton (A)
28 July - Hadleigh (A)
31 July - Fram' (A) (7 45pm)
04 Aug - Wickham Mkt (H) (1 30 pm - double header)
07 Aug - Old Newton (A)
11 Aug - Bacton (H or A)

The Seniors will enter the 2nd round of the SIL Bob Coleman Cup on the 10 Nov and, also, all eyes are on the Suffolk FA Senior Cup 1st round set down for the 15th Sept.

Finally, best wishes to everyone connected with the SIL and a special mention of David Mayes, the excellent SIL's Fixture Secretary, who is taking a well earned rest - many thanks, David, for all your patient work.