Suter agrees to commit for another year

LONG serving Horsham YMCA manager John Suter has agreed to stay at the club another year.

He will be extending his 18 year stay and assistant boss Tommy Sampson will also be there next season.

This is good news for the club after the duo have overseen the Gorings Mead outfit into the Ryman League for the first time in their history, enjoying an excellent debut campaign.

Suter commented: "I'm very happy to be staying. It's been excellent to be in the Ryman League, it's been a breath of fresh air when you've been in football as long as me and only in the County League.

"This year has been something totally different, a lot harder work for everybody at the club, the players included but it's been relatively successful."

However he is aware of the fact that next season could be tougher for YM.

"There is always second season syndrome to consider," said Suter.

"Maybe we've taken a few teams by surprise this year and maybe next year we won't. Someone from Walton Casuals was telling me that's what has happened to them this year as they haven't had quite such a good year."

Suter was quick to praise his assistant. "Tommy's input has been invaluable," he commented.

"He's done ever so well and his experience of managing at a higher level and being a full time manager is terrific.

"Also outside of football with the fundraising, he is a terrific asset to the club and everybody at the club is delighted he is staying.

"I think it will be another season next year that will be extremely hard and another season of people expecting us not to do as well, like it has been this season," he added.

"If we can get the right players in, our budget is smaller than most clubs in this league but we managed to this year, hopefully we will be okay.

"We didn't get it right at the beginning, out of the 15 in the first game seven of the players have left."

The additions throughout the season have been brilliant for YM, from skipper Tom White to Scott Kirkwood, Andy Ottley, Dan Sackman and Dean Ruddy.

No doubt their, and the rest of the team's, displays have attracted the attention of a number of other clubs but the manager is confident the nucleus of the squad will remain the same.

"I believe the bulk of the players will stay but you will always get some playing at a higher level and at a lower level," Suter said.

"I don't know whether it has been the most enjoyable season but it has been the best because of the level we are at is the highest we've been," reflected the YM supremo.

"It will take an awful lot to beat when we got to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and the fourth round of the Vase in the same season. Then take last year when we were 12 points behind Ringmer and in the end surged past them to win back to back titles. That was terrific because we won things.

"In terms of achievement this year has been better, to play teams like Dartford, Dover and Tooting & Mitcham. To mix it with them and to hopefully finish about halfway, on merit this has been the club's most successful season," he stated.

Chairman Mick Browning commented: "We are delighted to say that John Suter has agreed to stay on another year.

"The management team will be the same which is good news."

The club is running a coach to Dover in the final game of the season on Saturday April 28, contact Bob Brading or 01403 250270 to book a place.