Swindon will benefit despite tough season

SWINDON, UK – Life is tough at the top, or so the old saying goes. However it is always tougher at the bottom and Swindon ENL Wildcats player-coach Jamie Newton has endured a baptism of fire in his new role at the Wiltshire club this season.
 
This weekend Swindon will face Chelmsford Chieftains in the last game of a season that has seen them win only three times, conceding 331 goals in the process. Those stark statistics show just how tough a job Newton has had since taking over from previous Coach Justin Bonello in November. Bonello resigned before the vital away fixture in Bristol, leaving long time Captain and level 3 qualified Coach Newton to try and keep the team going despite his tender age of 24.

 
“We are a very young team, with the majority of the guys being around 20 years old” explained the former Bristol junior.
 
“At 24 I was already one of the ‘older’ players anyway.   As a coach I don’t believe age is that important it’s more about the players believing in what you are trying to do and getting them to respect your decisions and that can be a hard thing to do at any age”
 
Indeed Newton was not left completely alone in his role, as Swindon’s Head Coach of their Junior Academy; Peter Winn stepped in to assist on the bench on game days. The former Sunderland and Whitley Bay Coach proved an invaluable presence, allowing Newton to concentrate on his own game.
 
“One of the hardest parts is on a game day balancing the playing and coaching and trying not to compromise on either” admitted Newton, who also leads the Wildcats scoring this year with 17 goals and 19 assists.
 
“Working with Pete Winn has been a real help for me this year. He has a lot of experience and knowledge of coaching at this level and higher.   It has been great to have him around to ask advice and to give a little direction when times have been tough.   I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and get on well with him”
 
Times certainly have been tough for Newton and his team mates, especially on the road. Swindon won only once on the road this season with an early two points earned at Bracknell in only their third game of the campaign. With a dismal of 17 consecutive defeats on their travels, the Wildcats managed to salvage some pride in their very last road trip at rivals Bristol Pitbulls coming home with a 4-4 tie to the surprise of many.
 
“We have been blown away in a few games this season, and it has been difficult at times to try and motivate the team especially when you’re feeling the same way they do” explained Newton, whose side were promoted with the Pitbulls from ENL2 South last season.
 
“Given the remaining games the league position was already decided prior to the Bristol game. So we were pretty pleased with a draw against Bristol.   We have a bit of history with them from last season with the league and cup, and of course, several of us live in Bristol and have played for Bristol previously, so I think we were satisfied that it was a good game and we left with the points split and heads held high, especially as we had such a short bench”
 
“I do think we definitely could have competed better this year. I can’t say we could have ultimately changed our league standing at the end of the year, but I think we certainly could have pushed more teams to play to the final buzzer, particularly at home”
 
“We very rarely iced what would have been our preferred squad.   Like every other team we had injuries and players with other commitments but clearly when you’re struggling you notice it even more.   It would have put a lot more pressure on teams like Bristol or any other teams to perform when travelling to Swindon”
 
Despite their poor away form, the Wildcats have looked good at times on their own ice. A 5-5 tie with Cardiff along with a win over Streatham Redskins proved memorable highlights of the campaign.   This improvement with a couple of months remaining of the season coincided with the signings of Luke Merrick and Rob Jones from Bristol, along with the re-appearance of former Blackburn, Telford and Durham forward Robin Davison. The 36 year old Davison may be of advancing years however his experience and adaptability gave the youthful Wildcats side a physical and composed presence that had perhaps been missing earlier in the season.
 
“When Robin expressed an interest in playing a few games for us it was too good an opportunity to turn down” explained 5’ 11” Newton.
 
“From a coaching perspective he is the sort of player we really needed to have from the start of the year. He obviously brings a lot to the table and the games he has played in he really helped us to produce some offensive opportunities – something we have struggled to do all season”  
 
“As well as his obvious physical strength and ability, it’s great to play on a line with a guy like Robin who has the experience and skill to make things happen every time he steps on the ice”
 
Davison managed four goals and seven assists in seven appearances for the team and iced in defence as well as his usual spot up front.   Another mid-season signing from Bristol was former Oxford starlet Shannon Taylor who hit sixteen goals and sixteen assists on his return to his hometown club. The gradual strengthening of the side lessened the margin of defeats as the months passed and it hasn’t been all doom and gloom at the Link Centre.
 
“Despite the results, we have had a lot of fun this year and even when travelling away with a short bench we have had a real good team spirit” admitted Newton.
 
“There have been many laughs, card games and beers drunk on the team bus on the way back from away games. From a players perspective I suppose the highlights for me were the close games like the draw with Cardiff and the win over Streatham at home”
 
“I think a large part of the satisfaction was being involved in tight, competitive matches, which for us this year have been few and far between”
 
“I think for the players who are looking to improve, this season has been great opportunity and experience for them. It is a much higher level than ENL 2, not only in the quality of individual players but also in the technical and tactical level that the teams play at. I think every player on our team has had to become more aware of this part of the game this can only help them in their future development”
 
What was refreshing amongst the fans of the teams higher placed in the division was the feedback about the side. Some sides that finish bottom of the league are dismissed as simply terrible or a waste of a league spot, however Swindon are rightly seen by most as   a young team, who never give up skating and have a fair amount of talent within their rank, albeit not enough to currently compete at this level.
 
The likes of Stephen Whitfield, Ryan Burgess and Alasdair Barrow have all posted decent numbers and youngsters such as Sam Feeney have impressed against teams with a higher budget and much more experience.
 
“I think the comments are definitely fair” maintained Newton, when asked about the positive reaction from fans across the league.
 
“The guys have worked hard all year plus I think that the team’s attitude and work ethic has won over some ENL fans that otherwise may have been more critical about us, especially given some of the results we have suffered”
 
“It is worth mentioning however, that the players all pay subs and transport costs, unlike the majority of our competitors and that does demand a significant level of commitment.   The team that started the season was almost unchanged from last year’s ENL 2 side and I did recognise that it was a big step up”
 
Indeed the competition within the ENL is unprecedented on previous seasons with the so called ‘Big Four’ recruiting some of the most talented players at this level for a number of years. Wightlink Raiders held off competition from Invicta Dynamos, Chelmsford Chieftains and Romford Raiders to secure the title, but there is a marked gap between these teams and those below in the standings.
 
“Certainly the top four are particularly strong and I think Wightlink do deserve the title, but I also think Romford and Chelmsford have both played quite impressive team hockey when we have faced them” said Newton, whose side failed to register a point against any of the teams mentioned.
 
“I know there are disagreements over finance and the gap between the top four, but I think it is good for the league how closely fought the last few play-off spots have been this year”
 
Under EIHA rules, Swindon must now be relegated to ENL2 however the usual rumours have started already that a restructuring could take place this summer and that Swindon may be offered a reprieve. The EIHA will have their usual AGM and proposals may be made but ultimately nothing can be predicted in UK hockey. As it stands now however, the ENL Wildcats will be facing off 2011/12 in the league below.
 
“I don’t know what the league will look like next season” admitted Newton.
 
“Ultimately it’s a decision to be made by the club management as to what leagues the club will compete in. I know feelings are mixed in the dressing room; some players will be leaving and heading for university amongst other reasons at the end of this season”
 
“Whatever league the team does compete in there will be a lot of changes anyway. I think the decision will be based on the best outcome for the club with an eye on the development pathways for the junior academy”
 
On a personal level, Newton has no escape from the sport as he owns and manages his own hockey shop in the form of Get-Inline Ltd – www.get-inline.co.uk . Along with online sales, Newton also has a product showroom in Bristol and offers the usual services such as skate grinding and repairs. The York born business man/hockey player/coach has had a long difficult season but will finish with no regrets and is open to what the future will bring.
 
“I have enjoyed the season and have had the opportunity to further both my playing and coaching” he explained.
 
“For the future, I will be looking for ways to improve both aspects of my game, but at this stage if I had an opportunity to progress further as a player obviously I would take it”
 
Swindon take on Chelmsford this Sunday with a 19.15 face off at the Link Centre, Swindon. Tickets are available on the door.
 
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
Photos courtesy of flyfifer.co.uk – Flyfifer Photography unless stated otherwise.