It's great news that your signing again for next season, obviously you enjoyed playing for The Dalers last season, is that one of the reasons why you are resigning?
Having come from a great club like Beckenham Town where I had a couple of successful years and had some good friends, I didn't expect to settle as quickly as I did. I was made to feel extremely welcome from the off and everybody went above and beyond to make feel me like I had been here for years. I really appreciated that, and as a result I wanted to try and re-pay that.
I'm a big fan of this club already and you've got a great leader steering the ship. I've played against Billy Hughes, with him and for him...all I can say is that his desire and enthusiasm to win is infectious and these are the two main reasons I have decided to stay.
How do you think last season went for The Dalers?
It was disappointing to get so close to really achieving something and then falling short in only the last few games of the season. Holmesdale were apparently the surprise package last year and were seen to be punching well above their weight, but to be honest, I really disagree with that.
I know that we doubled our points tally and were in the bottom three the season before and in terms of age and experience they may have been right, but with regards to ability, they couldn't have been more wrong. To only concede 30 goals in an entire season in the Kent League is a massive achievement. Thamesmead won it the year before conceding 36 and they had a great side...if we can convert a few more chances up top this time round and with the amount of young talent we have...the future is definitely bright.
How do you think we can improve on last season?
I think that we've established ourselves, albeit surprisingly, as one of the top clubs in the league now and we need to build on this. We need to be maintaining our league form, that's a given, but more importantly we need to go on a couple of cup runs. Cup competitions generate a buzz and an atmosphere in the changing room that can spread through the club and put everyone on a high. If we can build momentum on all fronts and challenge from the off, then a lot of the competitions will be in our hands this season.
What are your personal and club targets for next season?
Not wanting to sound like a martyr, but my targets for next season are firmly rooted in what the club can achieve this year. Anything other than a top 3 finish I feel will be a huge disappointment and I'd like to think that we can make a semi-final or final in one of the League affiliated cups. We need to maintain our defensive record and try and improve slightly on the amount of goals we are scoring. If we can do that, as I've said a few times already, we'll go close in one of the competitions.
I think as a club we all need to start believing a little bit now and need to have high expectations to ensure we keep moving forward.
It will be the Dalers first taste of the FA cup this season; from your experience what's it like to play in an FA cup tie?
I've been fortunate enough to have had some good experiences in the FA Cup. I had a good a run as a youth player and then on a few occasions with Tooting & Mitcham and Fisher Athletic where we got to within one game of the 1st round proper. They say it's lost its magic at the higher level, but in the lower leagues it is still like nothing else – it's the pinnacle for a non-league player.
With a good enough run it gives you the opportunity to play in front of some reasonably big crowds and it can also inject some much needed finance into the smaller clubs. We'll do the best we can and enjoy the experience as much as possible and hopefully get a little run going.
There will be a lot going on at the Dalers next season on and off the field to push for Ryman football in the next couple of seasons, how do you think we would fare if we were to be promoted?
Ryman league football is definitely a step up, but to be honest, it's more to do with consistency at that level and making the right decisions on the pitch. We played some tremendous football last season and on occasion would have lived with any Ryman South or North teams, but you need to be doing it week in week out. If we can get that right this season, get more strong 90 minute performances rather than just 45 which we were guilty of quite a few times last year, we'll go close to winning something. A few of the lads will be a little more experienced this year and a year in football is a long time with regards to maturing, so we're definitely moving in the right direction towards Ryman level football.
Many thanks for your time in answering the above questions; do you have any words for the players and supporters as we move nearer to preseason?
A very quick thank you to the supporters for last season first and foremost. It goes a long way when we are playing away at places like Hythe and Deal Town to see a few familiar faces in the stands and in the bar afterwards, it's always appreciated by the players I assure you.
Apologies for getting so close, yet so far last season, I promise we will be trying to put that right this year and do everything we possibly can to bring some silverware to Oakley Road for you.
Players...I hear Billy and the coaching staff have got one hell of a pre-season program lined up for us so I'd be fully prepared if I was you. Having been awarded officially the worst trainer in the club award for last season (Stewards!!!), I will more than likely see you all on the first day of the season so a little word of good luck from me ;-)....on a serious note, it was a pleasure taking the field with you all last season and I'm looking forward to being there from the start this year.
John Maloney - First Team Captain 02/06/2009
