Interview with DC

 

WITH THE LATEST LOCKDOWN COMING TO A CLOSE AND FOOTBALL STARTING AGAIN SOON, WE CATCH UP WITH TRAFFORD BOSS DANNY CALDECOTT:

(Muggsy and Glinks asking the questions…)

So, Boss, first question has to be – How are you doing?! How have you been coping with Lockdown2?

I’ve been coping a lot better this lockdown than the first one. If I’m honest the first lockdown was very difficult, not just for me but many people. When you are used to having the autonomy to live your life how you want to, it’s then very challenging mentally when a lot of that is restricted or taken away. The world isn’t normal right now and I prefer normal!

You had Covid at one point – How did you deal with that?

It absolutely floored me for 2 weeks. People will have had different experiences than me but I can honestly say it’s one of the toughest illnesses I’ve had. What made it worse was my family had it too so the house wasn’t a pleasant place for a few weeks. Fortunately we are all ok now and back to full health.

So the season re-starts soon, and this Tuesday we have a home friendly v. Matlock Town. How good does it feel to know that games are coming back after what seems like AGES off (but is actually only just over a month)?

It feels great! I think everyone involved in any sport will vouch that when you are able to do the things you love and live for it’s a massive benefit to us all. The break has only made my desire to be successful even greater, if that was at all possible. I said to the boys last week if this doesn’t make you want to go out and enjoy every minute on the pitch, then you’re not involved for the right reasons.

An unplanned break in the season must be really disruptive – as a manager, how do you cope with that?

I think the only way to cope is to adapt and try to implement what plans you can. We wanted to ensure we kept moving along, even without the opportunity to train or play. We had a meeting with all the players, Elli produced a great fitness plan, and then you have to entrust the lads be as responsible as they can to follow it and to look after themselves.

How did you feel the season was going for us before the second Lockdown came along?

I thought we started the season really well. The opening fixtures were very tough and demanding of the lads. We travelled a lot and we put in some fantastic performances against in my opinion the top 3 teams in the league. Just before lockdown we had a little dip – I think the Pickering game was the hardest to digest. We should have been out of sight by half time. This group is honest though – It’s a good mix of youth with some excellent experience. We know we let ourselves down, however I was happy with the response against Widnes and we will be ready to give everything again starting Tuesday. 

DC and the group

And how do you feel the rest of the season is going to pan out? We are going to have to cram a lot of fixtures in at some points…

It’s going to be tough. A lot of football will have to be played in a short period of time. I do believe we will suffer further lockdown(s) starting in January, so if that happens it will only make the season even more demanding of the players. It will be a challenge, but everyone else will be in the same boat. The lads will be hungry, we will be sensible and hopefully avoid any serious injuries to allow us to cope with all the expectations of the season.

What have the players been up to? Presumably you’ve kept close contact with them all? How has training been since football at our level was allowed to start training again?

The lads have been in great spirits. It’s a great group. I’m lucky to have some very good players and some great characters. We started training last Saturday. I think I speak for us all when I say this – it was brilliant to be back around each other. Sometimes people look at football and just see the games, results, and comings and goings. It’s more than that. It’s a chance for people to socially enjoy and express themselves with fellow teammates they get along with. The effect that has is difficult to describe, it’s like a constant need! For me I’d go as far as to say it’s a necessity in my life. The fitness levels were good. We obviously need more sessions and a few games, but overall I was very happy with the condition of the group.

It must be weird doing a mid-season “pre-season” – and it must be strange training when you don’t know exactly when you’ll be playing again or against who. Do you have to plan completely differently from how you’d normally plan your sessions & preparations?

It’s a weird time period full stop. Life isn’t normal and hasn’t been for a while now. The sessions are different for sure. We obviously do more fitness work at present than we would do if it was a normal season. The attitude of the boys has been first class however. They’ve come back focused, applied themselves brilliantly, and worked as hard as I’ve demanded. We look forward to Tuesday now to see where we’re really at. It’s important we try to get 2/3 games in now before the new year. Until we get clarification of the start date then we will prepare as though each week it could start.

We presume the squad is all intact – no one’s drifted off, been tempted elsewhere or retired?!

Almost everyone is still here, although I’ve had a conversation with Ben Halfacre this Friday. We both decided in the best interests of himself at this moment in time he needs to be playing regularly to regain the fitness levels he needs. Ben is a very good player and I feel he would have been great for us this season if he was fully fit. Unfortunately he suffered a knee injury before pre-season and then with the Lockdowns he’s been a little bit behind the rest of the boys in terms of fitness and match sharpness. Ben is a great lad and I thank him for his hard work and contributions to date. The door remains firmly open in the future. Everyone else is still here.

Ben Halfacre; goodbye but not farewell?

Any new signings?

There may be 1 or 2 additions in the near future but we will have to wait and see. I don’t believe we need a lot as the squad has very good competition for places in all positions. As a manager I want to try and work with players, give people opportunities to develop and prove to everyone else just how good they are.

A couple of the Dragon Academy lads have trained with you – how did they get on?

The two academy lads have done really well, they will continue to train with us to help build their experience and understanding of men’s football. Both have brilliant attitudes and are keen to learn. Jordan (Dragon Academy Manager) has done a brilliant job with them so far and hopefully this season can be very educational for them to progress into the first team squad.

Marine are in our League and they entertain Tottenham next month in the FA Cup. How amazing is that? – For them, for non-league football in general, and for our League?!

When you look at what they’ve achieved so far it’s actually incredible. They have beaten a professional team away from home, beaten 3 sides in higher divisions, and now await Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the next round of the FA Cup! They have represented non-league brilliantly and Neil Young, his staff, players and the whole club deserve all the exposure and plaudits that have come their way. I sincerely mean this when I say it, we will be supporting Marine that Saturday and hoping for one of the biggest cup upsets ever. Good luck Marine.

Finally, any message for the fans? It was tough some of the restrictions we had to put up with towards the end of the first stage of the season; Not being able to go to City of Liverpool was hard to take, but we can’t wait to get back supporting you and the team!

We can’t wait to have you back. Football isn’t football without the supporters. The lads are buzzing for Tuesday, to see people who give their time and passion to support this brilliant football club is what it’s all about. It will be great to hear the songs, see the happy faces and also enjoy your company after the final whistle (social distancing of course). Hope everyone stays safe and well and we look forward to seeing you all against Matlock.

Cheers Boss! We’ll be there and we’ll be singing and supporting you and the team! COME ON TRAFFORD!!