Last week I caught up with Worthing FC boss Adam Hinshelwood to find how he felt last season went and how the new season is shaping up to begin in a few weeks’ time:
Why not take advantage of the summer offer above to read what the Rebels manager had to say plus unlimited access to other interviews, opinions and podcast material, great value for £5 a month on all things non-league.
The content below was originally paywalled.
TK: The aim obviously is to finish as high as possible every season, did last season still exceed expectations given it was the first for Worthing at National League South level?
AH: Yeah, I think on reflection we have got to be happy with the season. I did feel we dropped too many points with draws early in the campaign but as a whole we have to be pleased where we finished.
TK: Were you pleased with how the squad adapted to a higher level and those who joined the club providing good competition for places?
AH: I think we started the season with a lot of players untested at this level and some really took to it while others didn’t. Some were maybe not quite ready for it so a little in the middle hence we needed to bring a few in on loan mid-season to give us a little boost and I felt those who did come in did that for us.
TK: A great learning curve no doubt both on and off the pitch, are you expecting a bigger challenge as you are no longer the new boys but at the same time a more even contest with Ebbsfleet Utd going up?
AH: It’s a tough league, there is not much difference between the top and the bottom in my opinion, you only have to look at how long it took for the relegated sides to be confirmed.
Obviously Ebbsfleet were the stand out team last year but if you take them out of the equation not much separated 5th bottom to 3rd so we have to strive to keep improving each season and that will be the goal, not just for the first team and their results but throughout the club from the development centre across to the women’s team.
TK: How has recruitment looked like this summer compared to 12 months ago?
AH: We’re looking to add some players with a bit more know how of the level and certainly I feel we’ve got some of that already. Conversations with players have been a lot easier given we have had a season at this level and showed what we are about in terms of our football on the pitch and our support off it too.
TK: Despite the upheaval of players moving on how refreshing is it for you as a manager to provide a platform for players to move on from?
AH: The thing that gives me more satisfaction than anything as a manager is seeing lads realise their dream of being a professional player and moving up the ladder, it’s so rewarding for me and them and long may it continue for the club, hopefully in time they’ll be moving up with Worthing.
My thanks to Adam for his time, best wishes to him and Worthing for the coming season.
