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JMJ interviewed by Ryan Butler of Severn Sport
26 July 2024 at 13:04
The Centurions will have all eyes on them this season, following the decision to take voluntary relegation at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Following the decision, then Manager John Brough and a number of First Team players decided to step away from the club – leaving question marks over the direction the club will go in for the upcoming campaign.
Mortimer-Jones was a popular appointment over the summer, due to his experience with the club as a player, coach and Assistant Manager to Brough previously. And after a busy pre-season schedule, the new CIren boss spoke to Severn Sport about his new role and admits he would have ideally liked more time to get the squad ready, ahead of next week’s season opener at Roman Glass St George. “I’m really proud to be manager of this club,” Mortimer-Jones said. “It’s a new start for everyone and I’m excited by the challenge it brings. Pre-season has been busy, we have tried to bring in players that will buy into what we are trying to do. Realistically, we could do with another couple of weeks, but we will do the best we can. Ultimately, we go into the season under no pressure at all. We have a plan that might take a bit of patience, but we will get there,” Mortimer-Jones added.
Mortimer-Jones’ side have faced a typically tough set of teams during pre-season, with the Centurions beaten by Gloucester City on Tuesday night, following their appearance in the 2024 Severn Sport Shield last week.
Ciren begin their Hellenic League season away at Roman Glass next Wednesday (31 July), before a trip to Cinder Lane to take on Fairford Town in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round and another local derby, at Highworth Town the following midweek.
Going into the new campaign, Mortimer-Jones says it was important to set realistic targets for the season and admits that with so many local derbies in the Hellenic Premier, he and the squad are looking forward to testing themselves. “In-house we have set ourselves targets that we believe to be realistic,” said Mortimer-Jones. “We want to pick up as many points as possible, by playing in an exciting way, that will get some bums on seats keep our loyal supporters on side. There are some cracking local clubs in this league and we are all looking forward to going to battle with them. Hopefully, we can play our part in some memorable derby games throughout the season,” added the Ciren boss.
Cirencester Town head to Roman Glass St George on 31 July, before heading to Fairford Town on 3 August and Highworth Town on 7 August – before they welcome Malmesbury Victoria to the Corinium Stadium on Saturday 10 August for their first home game of the season.
For more information about local sport go to https://severnsport.co.uk/
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