Captain Kelly demands success in debut season - The Bromsgrove Standard

Captain Kelly demands success in debut season

Bromsgrove Editorial 7th Aug, 2015 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

NEWLY-appointed captain Brendan Kelly believes Bromsgrove Sporting’s blend of youth and experience can be the recipe for success this season.

The 34-year-old, who joined from Alvechurch this summer, will be the oldest member of Paul Smith’s squad when they kick off their Midland Football League Division One campaign tomorrow (Saturday).

His experience of winning titles with Halesowen Town has seen him handed the captaincy and Kelly said he will be proud to lead the team out this season.

But the Irishman insisted there will be plenty of other leaders for Smith to call upon as they attempt to secure promotion to the Premier Division.




“In certain stages in the season, old heads might be able to handle situations a little bit better because they may have experienced them before,” Kelly said.

“For some of the younger lads it may have been the first time they had come close to winning the title last year and I think that experience alone will stand them in good stead this time around.


“But sometimes you just need a few calmer heads on the pitch if things are getting a bit tight or things are going against you.

“It’s important not to panic and just to concentrate on doing what we are asked to do by the gaffer and I think we will be alright.”

Kelly thinks well-travelled strikers Josh McKenzie and Luke Corbett as well as former Evesham United, Redditch United and Alvechurch defender Simon Fitter will be crucial to The Rouslers’ fortunes this season.

Bromsgrove missed out on promotion by three points last season and the defender, who has been playing at left back in pre-season, said he expected it to be a fight for the title again.

“I don’t think we will have a problem against the tougher teams as everyone will be up for those games,” Kelly added.

“It’s the games on a Tuesday night away to some mid-table team or just below mid-table which will really test us.

“But we are certainly not concerned about anybody. I think we can let them be concerned about us.

“I don’t think we need to worry about anybody, especially with the talented that we have got within the squad and the backroom staff that we have got.”

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Bromsgrove Standard

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need