EPPING RESERVES - One hell of a season!

So the season is over and the reserves made it to safety in the top division.
When Poly and myself took over in October it was already evident that a long hard season was ahead of us and our key objective was to avoid relegation and perhaps develop a player or two for the 1st team. Both have been achieved and I am absolutely delighted for the players who stayed together and fought like Rabid dogs at times to steal a point here and there that ultimately proved vital.
We used somewhere in the region of 40 players but maintained a spine that should take a lot of self respect into next season where, who knows, we might even challenge for something.
Some key games stand out and none more so than my 1st game in charge when we came back from 2-0 down at half time to win 3-2. Giving players self belief can make a difference.
Another game that stands out was the 2-1 win at home to eventual champions Harold Wood when I had to play and drafted in five 3rd team players who all played like their lives depended on it to deliver one of the most astonishing performances I have had the pleasure to witness in my 21 seasons at the club.
Ultimately we got the balance right in our desire to compete and never losing sight of the need to enjoy our Saturdays.
I would like to thank the following players for their efforts and for putting me through the mill and making being stuck in the technical area not a bad place to be:
Steve Poole, Jerry(hero) Albright, Sam Wilk, AJ, Jon Chaps, Glen Shurety, Z(SHUT UP!) Laberdie, Stu Shep, Jason Shaw, Tony(please let me be skipper boss) Whiteway and last but by no means least Danny(Oh do I have to pick the turks up!) Turpin. CHEERS BOYS
I would also like to say a special thanks for the support and help, particularly on match days to the following; Graham Sly, Jonny (wheres the kebab pizza) Rumble, Adam Rumb, Bunny and Janet and the old boys in the shed who put up with my ranting at home games.
Also a big thanks to our BIG Chairman Steve Allen who may one day make my day by following through his threat to sack me (I should be so lucky).
On a final note good luck to my good friend and long standing member of the club Griffo who is awaiting the birth of his second child.
Thanks for the Mammories season 2007/2008

Cheers

Niall