There's not been a great deal of change this summer, the first-team squad has altered a little from last season's Invincibles, lots of new players have been training with us but they have to be the right fit for the club and buy into our philosophy and vision for Harefield United. Away from the first team, we have started Mini Hares, an introduction to football for boys and girls under five years old on Saturday mornings. This has proved to be highly successful, more children mean more parents involved at the club, leading hopefully to more people getting involved with helping around the place, future qualified coaches and you never know, possible sponsors. As these players develop we should be able to start girls football at under six levels in a couple of years time. The Youth side of the club is flourishing, some of the younger age groups are running three or four sides next season. I'm currently helping coach next year's Under 9s and I predict in ten years time some of those players will be first-team material, a couple even capable of playing Conference level. Who knows where we will be by then?

Are there any plans for more changes behind the scenes?

As you know, we have various positions to be filled, kit man, assistant groundsman, club journalist and someone to video the senior games.

What are the club’s aims for this season?

As far as the first team goes, we are only back where we started five years ago, in step five football. The aim is to challenge for promotion in the Spartan Premier although there are some very strong sides competing this term. This will be the fifth season with Ray, Dawn and I at the helm and with Jason Shaw running senior football and our ambition is to eventually be playing minimum step four football in a step three ground.

How excited are you by the ladies team launching this season?

The launch of the ladies team is, of course, an exciting development at Preston park, we have had offers from a much higher profile set up to run a ladies' team here but we look forward to running Harefield United Ladies ourselves. At the moment players are a bit thin on the ground so if anyone knows any ladies, either experienced or keen to learn that would like to get involved with a well-run semi-pro club, please do get in touch.