So, here we go again!

I hope you all had a good summer and, like everyone at the football club, are refreshed, ready and raring to go ahead of the new season.

While I managed to get away for a couple of weeks in early June, we’ve had a very busy time – both on and off the pitch – but it’s been great, and all the signs are there that it’s going to be a year to remember.

Understandably there’s a lot of excitement.

We finished last season with an eight-game unbeaten run and have carried that good form into pre-season, losing only one match, 1-0 against Woking, and for the most part have been banging the goals in too.

Of course, I more than anyone want to secure promotion this year, and that is the ambition.

It has to be – but make no bones about it, it’s not going to be easy.

There are a lot of strong teams this year, there always are, and it’s going to be a tough season.

Portsmouth will be competitive, as will Luton, and Cambridge United have spent a lot of money this summer in assembling a strong squad.

Add to that the teams which have come down from League One, including Crawley Town who we play today, and you get a sense for just how competitive a season it’s going to be.

We’re going to give it everything we’ve got and I expect us to be competing at the top of the table.

Crucially, we’ve bolstered the first team squad over the summer and secured the services of a number of players who will ultimately make us a better team.

Kemar Roofe, Liam Sercombe, Ryan Taylor and Sam Slocombe have all signed permanent deals, and we’ve re-signed George Baldock on loan too.

Jake Wright put to pen to paper on a new long-term contract, as did full back Joe Skarz.

Of course, we have a lot of young, home grown players within the squad, and I’m fully expecting the likes of Callum O’Dowda, Josh Ruffels, Sam Long, James Roberts and Josh Ashby to kick on this year.

I’m very happy with what we’ve achieved over the past seven weeks, and where we are now.

Right from the outset – a rather gruelling training camp at RAF Benson in early July – the players have been incredibly focused and disciplined.

They haven’t needed motivating, they’ve done it for themselves, and I’ve been impressed by the application levels and attitude.

What’s more, I get a real sense of togetherness.

The young players mix with the older players here, and everybody genuinely gets on. It’s nice to see, but more importantly, it benefits us on the pitch.

Today we play Crawley Town and I can’t wait for kick off.

I know it’s a cliché but a vocal, vociferous crowd can really make a difference.

The players really feel it when the fans are right behind them.

Let’s get the Kassam rocking and start the season on the front foot.

THIS feels like the appropriate time to mention our women’s team who have enjoyed a busy summer of matches.


If you haven’t already, it’s well worth heading to Abingdon United FC to watch one of their home games – I can guarantee you’ll be surprised at just how good they are.


Over the summer I watched a lot of the Women’s World Cup in Canada and was blown away by the standard of some of the stuff played.


The mastery of the ball was incredible, and the players’ decision making, on a general level, seems to be getting better and better too.


The England team were tremendous, and I hope the success of the team really helps the game take off in this country.


It feels like the momentum is building, this just might be the final push required to really explode it into the mainstream.