This week the club sat down with Under 23s Manager Mike McCaffrey to discuss his goals for the coming season, involvement with the first team, and his new media venture.

This summer Mullets Manager Craig Stuart moved quickly to bring local coach Mike McCaffrey to the club in a move which has not only seen him lead the clubs under 23’s side, but has more recently seen his involvement with the First Team.

“I have known Craig for almost twenty years, and was delighted when he made contact with me pre-season about the opportunity to manage the clubs under 23’s.”

“I am also honoured that I have been asked to support the First Team when required – they are a cracking set of lads who listen, want to be coached, and take feedback. It gives me a taste of a higher level of football, and the opportunity to work with some talented people like Joss, Macca and Colin.”

“There is a great mood round the club, and I have been made to feel extremely welcome.”

No stranger to Sussex football, Mike has previously coached youth teams at East Preston, as well as currently coaching a successful under 14’s team at Lancing – where a large proportion of the team have been called up to represent Sussex County.

It was at East Preston where Mike previously coached current Mullets first team players Tijan Sparks, Ollie Hook, Daegan Walsh and Ben Hack, and he is pleased to see how the quadrant have developed since those early years.

“It is really good working with these lads again.”

“Ben Hack is a fantastic player who has been unlucky with his injury – but has the ability to grow into one of the best defenders in Sussex County League football.”

“Daegan has had a great start to the season, and Tijan Sparks has been absolutely immense since dropping back to play centre half.”

A larger-than-life personality, Mike has been instrumental in helping bridge the gap between the under 23’s and the First Team squads – something which he is eminently proud of and has high hopes for moving forward.

“The whole aim for this season is to obviously win as many games as we can – but also which is equally as important, is to develop as many players as possible who can move up into contention and compete for places in the First Team.”

“There are a couple of players who I am expecting to really step up over the next twelve months. The likes of our captain Harrison-Lee-Wilson has already featured – but I feel will become a First Team regular sooner rather than later.”

“Then you look at the likes of young Liam Bryant, who at seventeen years of age has all the physical attributes and talent to become an excellent centre half.”

“I think a few more of the boys will make that jump this season, and I am looking forward to what the rest of the season holds for this group. They are a great bunch.”

After six games the young Mullets find themselves mid table in a league where margins are few and far between, with just five points separating top and seventh place.

“I feel we have had a mediocre start and are still finding our feet.”

“We are now getting to the point where we have a settled twelve to fourteen players to select from. At the start of the season we set ourselves an ambitious target of a top three finish, and that still remains the goal.”

“We are aware we have conceded too many goals, but we are determined to address that defensively and get it right moving forward.”

This season has already seen no less than six players graduate from the under 23’s and feature for the first team.

“My aim is to get ten players from the group to feature for the first team over the course of this season.”

“We mostly play the same formation as the first team which makes that transition easier for a player to adapt to when called upon.”

“It is important that we all play the same way throughout the club to how Craig has the First Team playing – it creates consistency and a club DNA. It is working well.”

Outside of the dugout, Mike lives a hectic lifestyle working as an international salesman. He has also recently co-founded the SNLF – an independent media outlet focussed on Sussex Football from Steps 2-6.

“It is a project that I am super excited about. We have the website which has some really good content with Trevor Knell, but we now also have the podcast which has proven a hit too – I just love talking, analysing, and being involved with football.”

Check out the new SNLF website for all the latest news and views across Sussex Football – www.thesnlf.co.uk

Come and support the Under 23’s this evening as they travel to local neighbours Pagham –19:30 KO, Nyetimber Lane, PO21 3JY