Southern Farm's summer overhaul paying off

BRISTOL Manor Farm's relieved new manager Will Justin says he is feeling a whole lot better about life at the Creek following an “exhausting” summer of uncertainty and upheaval.

- Simon PARKINSON

Charged with filling the sizeable shoes of Farm's long-serving supremo Lee Lashenko, now at the helm of ambitious Bridgwater United in the Jewson Western League's top flight, Justin enthusiastically breezed into NL Services Stadium in early May, only for the Tug to be pulled from beneath him with feet barely under his new desk.

He explained: “Initially, after Lee had left the club, I'd stuck my name in the hat having weighed up a few other offers and was delighted to be given the job after some informal conversations with the Manor Farm board.

“I knew right away the playing budget would be a lot lower than had previously been the case. What I didn’t expect was player after player gradually leaving in a type of ripple effect that just wouldn't stop. Suddenly I had only our forward Ben Bament left with which to build a team around!

“It meant formulating an entire playing squad from scratch competitive enough to hold its own in the Southern League. Virtually everything else behind the scenes was brand-new too, with Jon Line in as chairman leading a new committee and bar staff.

“Manor Farm, from top to bottom, was unrecognisable from the club that ended last season, although Ed Picksley, as vice-chairman now, had previously been involved with them”

Justin emphasised: “The fact I had to leave five players out of our 20-man squad last Saturday for our fantastic 2-0 win at Willand said it all about how far we've come in such a short space of time.