The Official Frome Town FC Website

From The Dugout

Dear Robins fans... I was gutted with last night's performance in the final of the Somerset Premier Cup and ultimately the result. It was a dire team display which is so frustrating especially as we have been playing some excellent football in the second half of the season and none of this was evident last night. We had a good crowd to watch us and it was the ideal opportunity to show people the footballing team we have become with a winning mentality, but it wasn't to be, and I feel for the Club and our fans because we have been doing so well, and it would have been great to show people in the local area a game of football that our fans have come to enjoy watching. We let ourselves down and nobody knows this more than us as we are all gutted by the performance and the result. Last night for some reason we played the long ball game, and didn't create many chances, and this is not how we have been playing of late. As much as we can instruct the players form the side of the pitch to keep the ball down and relax, for some reason last night it didn't happen and the better side on the night came away winners. We take responsibility for the result as the management of the team, and as frustrating and gutting as it was, when we came to Frome we were asked to keep the team in the Southern Premier League as the ultimate aim and this has been achieved by the team, and one result should not let us forget this. It would have been the icing on the cake for the lads last night, but if I had a choice of winning the Somerset Cup or finishing off the league like we did I would pick the latter all day long. The lads team spirit, and positive mental attitude has been a massive factor in the renaissance of the Club, and to try and figure out why a team can beat the now Champions Hemel, yet lose to a team in a lower League when everything is set up the same and the desire to win is the same, is the most frustrating thing about being a football manager. I will not have one bad performance detract from the fantastic performances that the lads have put in for the last 20 odd games. I know that it is human nature to jump on the negatives, but this doesn't make it right and I know that true fans will be gutted after last night but will not forget the good times we've had this season. We only have a small squad due to our financial constraints and so each player has played a lot of football over the latter part of the season and for a lot less reward than the majority of players in our League. I am proud of each and every player and the contribution they have made to the team this year, and just because last night wasn't our night it doesn't take away from the fact that we have achieved some great results this season. One game does not make a season. We're hoping to keep the same squad of players here next season as they are a great bunch of lads who have shown they compete magnificently at this level, and we will be looking to make a couple of additions to strengthen in a couple of areas. They all know what we are working to achieve as a group of players and as a Club, but as they are doing so well and have put themselves in the shop window it is inevitable that other teams will come in for players with money being the carrot. I would never dissuade any player from playing higher as long as it was the right club for them. A lot of the lads have made efforts above and beyond what is expected of them, and for this I am grateful, they know who they are. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes at any Club and this applies to the players too. Whether its playing through an injury, travelling long distances, taking unpaid time off work or generally going that extra mile to be a part of the squad. It is noticed and appreciated. I'd also like to thank the Chairman and the Committee for giving me this opportunity to manage at Frome Town. I'd also like to thank our passionate true supporters who are there through the good times and the bad, these guys are the heart of the club and know that football is a funny old game. Onwards & Upwards Fozzy