IT MAY still be just under ten weeks to go until a ball is kicked for the 2015/16 season, but Rugby Town assistant manager Craig Adams is already brimming with excitement at his new challenge.
Adams left the manager’s job at Bedford Town to team up with new Rugby boss Gary Mills at Butlin Road.
The pair have been busy preparing a said capable of competing in the pioneering first season in the Evostik Northern Premier League.
Adams admits his move away from the New Eyrie was tough but as soon as he knew Mills was him as number two the move turned out to be a no brainer.
“I enjoyed my time at Bedford, but the opportunity to work for a forward-thinking manager at a forward-thinking club was too attractive to turn down,” said Smith, who also has a spell in charge at Wellingborough.
“It’s a club with great facilities and potential, and whilst the previous management did a good job, our aim is to get it up to the next level and give the town something to be proud of.
“Our thoughts on the game are very similar, and I’m sure we will be honest with each other and work together well.”
“Some people may look at this as a downwards or sideways step for me, but I am not bothered by titles or positions. The important thing is it’s a new, exciting challenge and I can be involved in helping a club move forward.”
Mills is embarking on his first full managerial role at Rugby after a long, successful playing career and a stint as assistant manager at Conference Premier Wrexham.
And despite admitting it has been frustrating losing several first team players from last season, Adams is confident the club can build a successful team.
He added: “The key to success will be establishing a togetherness in the squad, and hopefully we can do this quickly once pre-season preparations start at the end of the month, and I can’t wait to get things going on this front.
“It’s slightly disappointing that it appears a few of last season’s squad have decided to move on without even speaking to the gaffer, but nevertheless we have retained a number of key players and securing the commitments of Seb Lake-Gaskin and David Kolodynski up-front is a real positive.
“We will be looking to add another striker to the squad though, so that there’s genuine competition for places, and we have already been busy adding a number of other new faces in the last week and will be bringing in more before training starts on the 30th of June.”
