So the season’s over and time to reflect on what was a very difficult one!

I’ve learned a lot this year, more so than any other season in my 26 years coaching in football. Next season, I hope to come back better, wiser and with some extra knowledge. I’m aiming to be a better coach and manager, but most of all, a better person.

During the season, we had 50 plus games and had 50 different teams out with 11 keepers. It was a big lesson, as I put my players’ careers before my own and will probably continue to do it through my career, as I feel boys should play as high as possible.

It’s been a difficult one for me personally off the field and has taken a lot out of me mentally, but the football community has been there for me at this difficult time. I want to thank every player to put on a CFC shirt this season and for giving 110%.  I love everyone of you boys and the effort and commitment you all have shown. My thanks also goes to every single one of you boys, including Wayne, Colin, Aaron, Chris, Andre, Ray and Sam for all your hard work this season (and even though some of you have left you’re still not forgotten by me).

I’d like to say thank you to Vince, who I know some of you don’t like, but from my point of view, he has given me everything I’ve asked for this season. He has stuck by me in a very difficult time and gave me good advice. I can’t say thank you enough on this. We have the best training facilities at this level you could ask for. All the equipment that goes missing week after week (we lost 11 match balls in the first half of one match!) always gets replaced . Vince may groan but does it!

I’d like to thank Shelley who does so much at Clapton it’s unreal. Super Shell I’m so grateful to you and please may it continue.

Gordon, Ronnie, Shirley, Rob, Joe, Butler and Wilf, thank you to you guys. You do a lot behind the scenes for CFC and myself. May this continue, as this is really appreciated by everyone.

Looking outside the club, I’d like to say thank you to all the managers who I’ve come up against this season. The banter has been great and the passion we show is premier league – we all want to win and this shows on the touch line, but all in all we do get on pretty well (well most of the time, I think!!) and may this continue as it’s not the easiest of jobs to do at this level.

I want to thank personally, Roy Fontaine whose phone is never off. He always gives me great advice and gems, plus he gave us Jeff Cobblah amongst others, over my coaching years.

Lee Flavin who’s a top guy, always helping me out with bits and pieces and thanks also mate, Michael Walther, who I’ve known for  a long time and knows Clapton better than most. I had some hard times, but Mick saw this and always called me to help me out – you’re a real gent who should be managing much higher. My mum and dad who I’ve had a bit of a hard time with, but my dad always gave me advice; I just never listened as usual (lol!), but thanks.  Love you guys!

My biggest thank you has to go to Lisa, honey, bella, beau and Poppy, who I drag everywhere, in the freezing cold, rain, snow ,wind and sunshine. Even thou they have a moan, they have supported me so much this season. People don’t see what goes on behind the scene –  my moaning, sulking, stubbornness and stroppiness when we lose, but I’m so so grateful to all of you and without this support I couldn’t do it so thank you so much.

Others I’d personally like to thank are my good friends Roy Massey, Justin Gardner, Dean Barker, Floppy, and any one else that I’ve missed out ❤

All the fans who turn up in the throughout the Essex Senior League every week, no matter what the weather conditions and without the fans football would be nothing.

Finally, thanks to the new Clapton fans attending now. I’ve enjoyed the banter and hope we can all have more next season.

Thanks.

 

Jonny Fowell
Manager