Experience crucial to Tulips’ glory bid

Spalding begin their league season this Saturday with a trip to Bedworth United before hosting Carlton Town on Tuesday night at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field (7.45pm).

Frecklington guided Lincoln United to the Division One South play-offs last season before his summer switch to Spalding.

And his hectic recruitment campaign has seen experienced EvoStik campaigners like Matt Varley, Nathan Whitehead, Sam Downey, Chris Hamilton and Brad Barraclough all make the move to Spalding.

The Spalding supremo feels this experience and know-how could be crucial in what will be a keenly-contested Division One South season.

Frecklington said: “I know what the league entails from last season at Lincoln United and we’ve brought in players who know the league and the level as well which is very important.

“There will be no weak links in the league this season, but we’ve put a decent squad together to hopefully deal with it.

“I’m confident. We’ve got a good of squad of players and it’s about making sure they gel quickly and consistently.”

Bedworth were moved into Spalding’s division after being relegated from the Southern League Premier last season.

Former Spalding player assistant boss Andy Penney is part of the Greenbacks’ management team and they are expected to provide tough opening day opposition for the new-look Tulips.

Frecklington added: “Everyone will start out wanting to win the league –there’s no point going into a season if you’re not thinking like that.

“Bedworth have moved across after being relegated while there’s the likes of AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Stamford plus the big Cheshire clubs like Northwich Victoria and Witton Albion.

“Everybody will be desperate to win the league and I feel we are one of those who can challenge.

“You need to have ambition and I want us to keep improving.

“But we have rebuilt the squad, we started with only five players, so we might not get there straight away.

“However, if we can compete at the top of the league, then that would be a massive credit to everybody.

“We are in the process of building something here and that could take time, but you never know it could come off quickly in the first season.”

Spalding brought the curtain down on their pre-season programme last Saturday with a 2-1 defeat to league rivals Stamford in the semi-final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup.

A below-par performance in the first half proved to be the Tulips’ undoing and Frecklington admitted he was disappointed with the display.

He continued: “We were off the pace for some reason. Two or three players didn’t do enough to earn their shirt.

“They fell short of the mark of what we expect and they were told that at half-time and full time.

“People need to take their opportunity when they get in the team because we’re not playing friendlies any more from now on.

“Players need to show the right attitude and work hard or else they will not be at the club for very long.”

Freckington was hoping Andrew Wright and Barraclough would both shake off slight knocks to be fit for Saturday’s opener, but Lemon will miss out through suspension.

He was also still in the market for a late double signing swoop which he hoped would be completed before the weekend.

Frecklington contined: “We are getting there and hopefully we’ll have one or two additions over the line before Saturday.

“We’ll train twice this week, get ourselves prepared and hopefully we can get off to a good start on Saturday. The lads will be fired up and raring to go.”

The Tulips will organise a coach for the FA Cup outing to Bury Town on Saturday, August 20, if there is sufficient interest from supporters.

Anyone interested should contact club chairman Andy Gay on 07949 428162 or secretary Louise Maplethorpe via email at secretary@spaldingunited.net

Spalding have been drawn away at Carlton Town in the first round of the Integro League Challenge Cup. Ties are to be played week commencing November 14.