Stratton Juniors are one of the biggest clubs for youth football in the Town with numerous teams across all the age groups.

Their senior team has stepped up a division and will be competing in the #SDFL Premier Division this coming season.

We spoke with Craig Bright, who is the senior team manager about their hopes and ambitions for the coming season…

 

Q: Stratton Juniors held their own last season finishing 5th in the league. What are the goals for this coming season?

Given that we have been unexpectedly promoted in our first season to the Premier Division, only having finished 5th, we’re going to have to step up another gear.

Still being a relatively new team we kind of still have to prove ourselves in this league and so realistically will be aiming for mid table.

 

Q: Pre-season is well underway for most clubs. How has pre-season gone for yourselves?

Pre-season hasn’t been too bad to be honest, we would have liked a few more players at training but it’s men’s football at the end of the day, people have jobs and families you can’t always get the numbers you want.

We have therefore arranged a few more games this pre-season as everyone loves a game of football!

 

Q: Which signings do you think will have a big impact on your side this coming season?

I think keeping the majority of the lads from last season for me is a huge accomplishment as it’s a new team and the players are still gelling and getting to know one another. We have signed a couple of older heads during the summer as going up a league we need more experience going into the new season.

 

Q: Will Stratton put any special emphasis on a good cup run this season?.

A cup run is always nice for any team in any league that you play in, but maybe this season as we have stepped up, concentrating on the league maybe where it’s at for me personally at the moment.

If we get a good cup run that would be a bonus!

 

Q: Who do you think will be pushing for top spot come the end of the season?

I think that’s a no brainier if I’m honest, Tawny Owl smashing the league last year going unbeaten and winning the cup they have to be favourites again, but then with new and fresh teams coming into the league you never know they could be beaten this season.

 

Q: What does the longer term future look like for Stratton Juniors?

We have a great committee that have built the club to one with 19 youth teams from Under 6 to Under 18’s which will hopefully provide the men’s team with a steady stream of young, talented players.

We are also a Charter Standard Club, a Nike Partner Club and have strong links in the community including a partnership with Stratton Parish Council.

The future looks bright on and off the pitch!