Football Focus Issue 81 | Page 65

Chertsey Town me responsibility of the first team and ground. Whereas previously I had five years to rejuvenate the ground, time had taken its toll and with only four months to the start of the new season major refurbishment was carried out by me as my legacy to CTFC and the need for Chertsey to re-establish as a senior non- league club. With the help of Mark Turner who played for me in 1993/94 and now living in Chertsey he undertook responsibility for the work which has included new changing rooms, refurbished tea bar and outside toilets, new perimeter fencing, refurbished referee facilities and painting of the whole ground, returning it to the old fashioned ground it was in the 1950’s capable of holding 2500, with modern facilities. With the appointment of Dave Anderson as Manager with nine games to go last season and relegation imminent a run of five wins and a draw made Chertsey safe for another season in the Premier Division. Dave Anderson, who came out of retirement to manage again, then worked on building a team with experience, youth and ability, results to date show the right formula has been applied. Dave was a Northern Ireland International Goalkeeper and managed Harrow Borough, AFC Wimbledon and Hendon. With some players also coming out of retirement, many others who have played for him in the past jumping at the chance of having a successful season under his known management skills, added to which the 22-man squad also has five youth team players from the past two seasons at Chertsey willing to learn from the experience around them. Some of the senior players have in the past carried injuries but with Gary Anderson also reuniting with Dave Anderson as Club Physio treatment is readily available in the new sports clinic opened under the club stand. With 40 years’ experience in Olympic and professional sport as an athlete, coach, scientist, sports medicine professional and performance director he again was given the opportunity to come out of retirement and use his skills at a club wanting success which was irresistible. He has lead teams at four Olympics and more recently was coach to the celebrities in ‘Beat the Star’. What Chertsey has done is adapt to modern day life and provided a squad environment that accepts work at times comes first and has been able to take this into account when signing players who in return are totally committed to Chertsey and what the club has offered them in return being the opportunity of being part of a successful club. To date Chertsey are going well in the league, are through to the first round of the FA Vase after two pre-qualifying wins, plus a first round win in the League Cup. Challenges are weekly in trying to provide good facilities and a quality playing surface for a manager that has INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MEMORIAL MASONS PRIVATE CHAPELS OF REST PRE PAID & PRE ARRANGED FUNERALS 24 HOUR PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL SERVICE 01932 563238 [email protected] 36 Eastworth Road, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 8DW WWW.PBOASTSON.UK NAFD Member www.footballfocusmag.com 65