THE MONTH of August has arrived and that can only mean one thing; the football season is right around the corner. Just twenty days after France’s success in Russia Whitchurch Alport begin a brand new journey.

Premier division football comes to the town after just three seasons as a Northwest counties football league club.

With news of Captain Simon Everall signing on the dotted line with pre-season almost complete he gives us an insight into life as a leader of Alport on the pitch: “It feels great signing on for Whitchurch again, it’s a second home to me now and I’m certain this will be my last club in football. It’s a very exciting year as we are the unknown and anything could happen. It will be great to bring NWCFL Premier Football to the people of Whitchurch”.

Everall ended the season in fine form and grabbed another brace along with fellow striker Alex Hughes so the captain has every right to be excited about the season ahead: “Yes all the lads are very confident, we’ve had a good pre-season schedule arranged for us where we have built momentum perfectly for the first game. My targets are the same as always, score/ assist as many goals as possible and to work hard for the team hopefully leading by example”.

Everall has played at a good level throughout his football career and he’s tried to be realistic about Alport’s chances as a step five club for the first time: “For me personally, it will be to score as many goals as possible. I’ve got the 100 goal mark in mind now if I stay fit all season I’m hoping I can work towards that. As a team I think we can be a surprise package. The gaffer has brought in some exceptional players who have all bought into what we have created. I’d be disappointed if we finished outside of the top 10”.

The Reds number 9 has been very complimentary about the pre-season prep outside of matches, and also about one of the signing in particular: “Training has been great,” he said. “It’s easy to burn out in pre-season if you do too much. I think we’ve done it perfectly and think we will hit the ground running. Each signing brings something special to the club but for me Tim Sanders will be a player who will benefit me, he plays just off the striker and his passing is second to none so I look forward to linking up with Tim”.

Everall has been something of a nomadic player before settling at SY13. But having turned down a number of opportunities to play at a higher level Simon explains why he’s put pen to paper for a third year: “I’m very proud to captain this side and I have grown to love the club and the people of Whitchurch,” he said. “I feel I have a special bond now with the club. I feel very lucky to be given the opportunity and at dark times Luke has continued to back me which I have to thank him for. Over the two years we’ve had some fantastic players here, I think we are about to get even better so I’m very excited for this year. Let’s give the fans what they deserve”.

Saturday (3pm) will see Ashton Athletic provide the opposition as Alport’s premier division journey gets underway. Admission remains the same at just £5 and the club are expecting a two hundred plus crowd. Gates open at 1.30pm.

*WAFC would like to thank Tim Sutton’s Taxis for sponsoring the match and the match ball.