Clark: 'There are so many good players in this league, believe me'

Ex-Lancaster and Kendal defender Gavin Clark is only 30 but has seen enough in non-league football in the North West to know the West Lancashire League is a fertile ground for talent. He’s hoping some of that will help Slyne improve on last year’s 10th placed finish.

How do you sum up last season?
“I’ve been manager two seasons and as a first full season it was a bit of a disappointment, despite getting to the final of the LFA Shield.

“Our home record (two wins from 15 games) cost us – we just couldn’t win games at home. Our away record was the opposite, we got nine wins and it was great until the back end of the season.

“We lost the final 2-1 but at 2-0 down their keeper made a great save from a one on one, had we scored that and pulled one back earlier than we did I think we could have gone on and won it.”

Best side you faced and best player?
“Oh, it’s hard to pick one side. But as for players I’ll say the keeper at Coppull, Fulwood’s centre-half and Dome Lawson at Thornton. Jordan Lorde at Burscough stood out too.

“There are so many good players in this league believe me.

"The only difference between the West Lancs and North West Counties is commitment – do they want to travel further, play every Tuesday night and Saturday? That’s the difference.”

Players in and out
“Paul Jarvis has gone back to Lancaster – he’s gone for a Netflix ‘Last Dance’ with his mates Andy Teague and Dale Whitham from their Chorley days!

“We’ve signed a keeper from Garstang and Ricky Ball who scored lots of goals for Milnthorpe last season in the division below.”

Aims for the season
“My aim is to win something – I like what the league has done shaking the cup competitions up so that’s a real target. Getting to the LFA final last year has driven me on.

"I obviously want to finish higher in the league than last year but we need a consistent team – every club is in the same boat. "The team that wants it the most will win it.”