www.mersthamfc.co.uk/papers2.htm -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 10/20/2007
Last Visited: 10/20/2007
Manager Mick Sullivan said: "It was a great result for us and the players showed a lot of character after going behind to a dubious penalty.
...
Sullivan, who selects from a full strength squad, bids to repeat their 2004/05 season's 3-0 final success against AFC Guildford at Woking.Merstham will be aiming to beat North Greenford Utd in the EL Records Premier Challenge Cup showpiece at Kingfield this time round.Yet Sullivan has admitted on the eve of the final he nearly quit his beloved club due to sheer frustration last summer at the start of his sixth year in charge.This was despite being cup finalists again, this time a losing occasion at Woking against Godalming Town, finishing as CCL premier division runners up, having enjoyed their most successful season for 20 years.
Sullivan said: "I was very, very close to walking away from Merstham as I could not have been hurting more.We had just missed out on our rightful promotion to Ryman League Division One South due to our stand arriving after the ground grading inspection.I was thinking about moving on as I thought that we would be a non entity this season after losing the vast majority of our players.My goals were not as high as I have set in the past and I was contemplating my future and maybe even taking a break from football for a while."But heart-to-talk talks with key Merstham committee members and Sullivan's many friends in football persuaded him to assemble his "dream team" on and off the field, also bringing in new assistants Micky Stratford and Rhys Williams.
Sullivan said: "There is a whole new generation feel about the club and we could have only gone into this season with a completely new team and out-look."
...
Looking forward to the final, Sullivan said: "It is an even-stevens game but if we perform to our ability and take our chances we will win it.I hope it will be a cracking final from a Combined Counties League perspective as the league has come on in leaps and bounds."
Honours are even between both sides so far this season with Merstham having beaten North Greenford Utd 3-1 at Moatside last October before suffering a 1-0 away defeat on Saturday, March 31.
Sullivan said: "It could be settled by a goal either way but I am sure that there will be goals scored and it is looking like being a harder cup final for us than last year.
...
In addition, Sullivan could be tempted to unleash his new secret weapon, 18-year-old winger Danny Ross, on the high-flying Middlesex club.
...
Sullivan said: "Danny showed pace, ability and tenacity and crossed the ball well, also competing strongly which was a big plus, and he will be a part of the final for us and have some role to play in it."
...
Sullivan made a seven-day approach to Corinthian Casuals, for whom he played at youth and reserve levels, and the Dorking-based prospect made two promising second string appearances for Merstham after signing for the club a month ago before making his big bow.
...
MERSTHAM manager Mick Sullivan has fuelled the flames ahead of their Easter Monday visit to High Road by suggesting title favourites Chipstead are not the best footballing side in their division.
...
Merstham are aiming for revenge, with a 200-strong crowd expected, after losing the first league meeting 1-0 at Moatside on Boxing Day despite producing a promising display with a revamped team which Sullivan believes is better than last year's side.
...
Mick Sullivan's men ensured that the mid-table Cards tumbled out of the competition, providing one of the biggest ever shocks in the county cup.
...
For Merstham manager Mick Sullivan this was rich reward for a day's hard work that had started at 8.30am by spearheading a club working party's efforts to stage the tie at the third attempt following recent rain offs.Merstham had resisted attempts to switch the tie to Woking's Kingfield Stadium due to their heavily sanded Moatside pitch but the surface played its part in permitting this historic triumph.Sullivan said: "It was an absolutely superb performance and we deserved to win anyway as we were the better side over-all.
...
Merstham manager Mick Sullivan has been delighted with Agyei's contribution, having kept close tabs on the player's progress following talks with the striker's former Banstead Athletic manager Bob Langford.
...
Sullivan said: "I knew of Kwabena while he was playing for Banstead, although he was not particularly prolific with them.
...
Sullivan said "Kwabena has contributed loads and is showing he can do it for us with his major assets being his strength and pace.
...
Sullivan is confident of Agyei remaining a Merstham player if they are successful in their aim of bring promoted to Ryman League Division One South for the first time in the club's history.
...
Vernon paid tribute to the club's management team which has masterminded their recent triumphs praising Manager Mick Sullivan, assistant Mickey Stratford and senior coach Rhys Williams.
...
Sullivan returned the compliment, saying "Considering that Craig was such a young lad relatively speaking to be thrown into that captaincy role he has done the job tremendously well.
...
Merstham Manager Mick Sullivan is understandably delighted to have brought two such quality players to Weldon Way, especially considering that the duo have played for the likes of Welling United and Gravesend & Northfleet respectively.
...
Sullivan said: "I always felt that we needed to add to our squad of 18 players to give us a chance of honours and the majority of last season's side will be returning to the club.Hopefully, these two new men can take Merstham forward, particularly in Michael's case, having lacked quality crosses into the penalty area last season.
...
Sullivan, who will be starting his sixth season in charge, added: "I am trying to rebuild the side and our club has shown ambition by getting these players in order for us to compete at the top our division again.And there will be more signings to come.Every Manager knows that it will be a more competitive and tight league that will have an added edge with several Ryman League clubs coming into it."
Sullivan is particularly keen to put a more positive spin on matters after Merstham missed out on promotion to Ryman One after their appeal against failing their ground inspection was rejected.
...
Any players wishing to attend training can contact Sullivan on 07915 668562 (mobile) for further details.
30 online sources [ view sources ]
Profile is not claimed [ claim profile ]
