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Ally's going for it!

Simon Smedley
13/ 8/2008

AFTER a season of struggle last time round, many onlookers would think that a mid-table consolidation mindset would be in order for Woodley Sports in 2008/09.

However, that scenario couldn’t be further from the truth according to recently re-appointed Woodley Sports boss Ally Pickering.

Pickering said: "The only target I’ve set this season is for us to win the league title. I’m not thinking about finishing comfortably half-way up the table. My policy is, and always will be, to go for the top spot.

"Realistically, reaching the play-offs would be a bonus I suppose, but that’s the very least I’m after this season. The lads are confident, and there’s a good buzz in the dressing room, so I’m looking forward to the new season now."

Woodley get their new UniBond First Division North campaign underway on Saturday with a trip to Wakefield FC, before returning to Lambeth Grove next Tuesday, August 19, when they welcome an ambitious Chorley team [7.45pm ko].

"It’s true that the only way is up for us this season," added Pickering. "But things have really come together during pre-season. I am still looking for a couple of further new additions, but so far I’ve managed to bring some real quality into the club.

"The attitudes of all the players has been good, they’re all enthusiastic and have worked hard in pre-season.

"We’ll be going for the three points on Saturday and then on Tuesday, going for draws is just not an option."

Since returning to Woodley earlier this summer following an 18-month spell out of football management, Pickering has wheeled and dealed well in the transfer market. Paul Collins has arrived from Bradford Park Avenue, while versatile defender Nat Kerr has joined the club from Blue Square Premier outfit Northwich Victoria.

Highly-rated defender Chris McGrath has also been recruited after he spent a year out of football, while Pickering is set to meet with former Bradford Park Avenue and Droylsden midfielder Jamie Tandy later this week to talk over a potential move to Lambeth Grove.

In the FA Cup, Woodley have been drawn at home to either Brodsworth or Ashton United.

The match will be played at Abbey Hey’s ground in Gorton on August 30, because the FA still won’t allow Cup games to be played on an artificial surface, like the one at Lambeth Grove.