How AFC Uckfield have taken lockdown in their stride ... now for a return

The Oakmen sat fifth in the Southern Combinations Football League before the latest halting of fixtures, six points away from top spot.

The team’s last game was the thrilling 4-2 FA Vase win against Holmesdale on October 31, with the next league game now due to be away against Peacehaven & Telscombe on December 8.

However, the first game back for the club is currently set to be in the FA Vase second round on December 5 against Guildford City FC.

Uckers joint-manager Graeme Mintrin is disappointed with some of the decisions taken by the FA.

“With the FA deciding that our first game back will now be the Vase game I find that a bit disappointing.

“It’s the biggest game of the season for a lot of clubs at our level and now it will be after a period of isolation with minimal preparation.”

His fellow joint manager Steve Ives commented on the updated restart date for the season, and the two proper training sessions it allows the team ahead of the match.

“In an ideal situation you’d have more preparation time for competitive matches but the league don’t have much choice, the fixtures are backing up and, as I understand the end of the season date is fixed so we can’t really afford any more lost time.”

With the halting of fixtures and group training however, the Uckers have had to try a detailed approach to prepare their players to continue their season in the positive way it started.

One of the main ways the club decided to do this was by hosting frequent training sessions with the squad over Zoom, allowing for the coaching staff to better monitor the fitness of the team.

Ed Drake, strength and conditioning coach at Uckfield, commented on how the training sessions were first established. “As soon as the lockdown was announced, the management proposed we put together a fitness plan not only to help the players retain their fitness but also use the lockdown as an opportunity to improve the players’ fitness to complement the management’s playing philosophy.”

This philosophy has been evident since Ives and Mintrin joined the club back in April, with a number of young players brought in to re-energise the team, helping the side to an eight-game unbeaten run earlier in the season.

Mintrin confirmed the intent to re-energise the team, by targeting players with the right mindset to match their plans with the team.

“Steve and I wanted not only decent footballers but decent personalities and we are benefitting from that massively,” said Mintrin.

“The younger players all want to listen and learn and get involved and the experienced players have all been in their shoes and are willing to help them along.”

Mintrin, also known as “Grim”, added: “It helps that we have a few players that are fitness orientated that are driving the sessions and leading by example.”

Drake singled out two of the players in particular for going above and beyond to help the team during this time.

“I think as a club, we are lucky that two of the players, Ollie Lee and Dan Tear are very experienced personal trainers.”

Drake continued: “Together we designed a fitness plan involving twice weekly strength & conditioning Zoom sessions, a mixture of high and low intensity running sessions and some stretching and mobility exercises.”

Ives saysTear and Lee have played crucial roles in keeping the squad in trim during the latest lockdown.

“The sessions we’ve put on for the players have been of an exceptionally high standard, led by Dan Tear and Ollie Lee whom are both fitness professionals.

“The attendance on Zoom has been brilliant but no more than we’d expect from this group.”

Drake commended the players’ reaction to the sessions and their work ethic during them.

“The players’ attitude has been perfect - attending all the Zoom sessions and providing evidence of the running sessions through fitness apps.”

This was a sentiment that Ives shared, praising the benefits the sessions have had with the team’s morale.

“The camaraderie has probably improved during this time as we are all thrown into new situations.

“There’s a healthy rivalry and encouragement present in everything we are doing.

Ives revealed the players’ approval with the Zoom sessions.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to start player reviews with the squad as well, the feedback coming to us is that everyone is enjoying what’s being laid on for them,” he said.

Among those approving is forward Morgan Vale, top scorer in the side after Dan Perry’s departure, with the 20-year-old recognising the sessions importance to the squad.

“The Zoom training sessions and other work-outs that have been put on for us are class, the team spirit is high and it’s keeping everyone fit and motivated for when the season restarts.

These sentiments were shared by Drake, who was hopeful of seeing the benefits of the team’s hard work during lockdown.

“I think we are all looking forward now to meeting up again and seeing the results of everyone’s hard work all on the pitch soon.