DAN MORPHEW | END OF SEASON NMFC 2021-22 Q+A | 10

For the tenth instalment of the 2021-22 Q&As, defender Dan Morphew reflects on the campaign and hints at what's to come in 2022-23.

1. First of all, now the season is complete, how do you feel the season went overall? 

DM: Last season is a difficult one to summarise, we had some high highs and some low lows, hopefully in time it will be only the high points that remain in the memory for both the players and fans! 

2. How did the season fare in terms of personal and team targets, must feel nice to be closing in on 200 NMFC appearances?

DM: The targets I had hoped we as a team would attain and subsequently my individual targets, in particular those in regards to league finish weren’t met. However, I’m pleased with the amount of appearances I managed to make last year especially as I was carrying niggling injuries for certain periods of the season.

3. Looking back at the FA Trophy run now, how do you reflect on it? Can you pick a standout moment?

DM: The trophy run was a great experience, to beat those teams from a higher level was fantastic and will forever be great memories. The victories against Dartford and Wealdstone particularly stand out for me, as there was no doubt on both occasions that we were the better side. 

4. Do you remember much about what was going through your mind during that specific moment?

DM: There was one moment of pure relief in the Dartford game as Marco made a great save in the latter stages of the match, a Dartford attack which began as a result of me giving the ball away 😅.

5. Any point in either cup run or season in general you knew something special could be round the corner?

DM: Following the previous season, which cut was short, I felt that we had a really good core group of players and that we were capable of achieving good things… glimpses of that we demonstrated in the trophy run, and hopefully we will see it on a more consistent basis in the season up and coming. 

6. Must have been nice to win the Suffolk Premier Cup for second straight season, what did you make of the game itself and the shootout?

DM: I think as a group currently we believe the Suffolk cup is a competition we should be winning. But saying that and achieving it are two different things, so it was good to confirm that belief and it will be a competition we will be aiming to win again. The game itself was awful, devoid of any standout moments. The penalty shoot out we all though we would win with the form our GK has been in!

7. Looking back at the FA Cup and League Cup, would it be fair to say you're disappointed with how both competitions went for us?

DM: The FA cup was especially disappointing for me - I was injured for that game so could not contribute only shout from the sidelines. An extended FA cup run like we had in the trophy is something all the players and staff would love to be a part of!

8. Looking at league season how do you summarise it?

DM: In reference to my answer in question 1, many of those low moments were a result of disappointing leagues results. The position we finished in the league is not what we had set out to achieve and so it’s far to say the league season itself was overall disappointing.

9. Are there any league games that stand out to you?

DM: In a league season of 30-40 games there are many high and lows, good performances and bad (although hopefully not too many bad). At this point my focus is on more the things that didn’t got so well that the team and I can improve, so maybe those games wouldn’t be the best to share… 😂 

10. Best game from a personal/team perspective?

DM: The Wealdstone and Dartford games I felt almost all 11 players were very good on both occasions.

11. Your player of the season and why?

DM: I think Marcus Garnham thoroughly deserves the plaudits he got at the end of the season. The penalty shoot out performances alone were enough to seal that in my opinion.

12. If you could change any part of this season, what would you change? Why? What would you do different looking back?

DM: The way we performed in the league is what I would change, and hopefully that is something we can correct in the season to come.

13. Season from your personal perspective?

DM: As a player and a competitor you always want more. Looking back, that is how I feel about my own performances and that of the team and is something to always strive for.

14. If you could relive any full game from this season, which one would you pick and why?

DM: Yeovil away. A great result against the odds. 

15. Are there any other moments from the season standout to you?

DM: There aren’t too many other stand out footballing moments for me. What does stand out are some of the really good characters we have amongst the staff and players and what a pleasure it is to play for and represent NMFC.

POST MATCH REACTION | FLYNN CROSTHWAITE | NEEDHAM MARKET V IPSWICH TOWN | PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY

After making his Needham Market First Team debut on Saturday 25th June, as a second half substitute against Ipswich Town FC, I caught up with Academy midfielder - who was part of the club's Thurlow Nunn Youth League Central Division winning side last season -  Flynn Crosthwaite to discuss how he felt his senior debut went, and the penalty which has since gone viral on TikTok (which can be watched below, or on the club's Facebook, Twitter or Instagram accounts).

DK: First of all congratulations on making your first team debut against Ipswich Town, can you put into words what it meant to do make your debut in a game like that?

 

FC: Thank you, it was an massive honour to make my debut at such a great club especially against a professional team! It meant lots to me as I have become very much attached to Needham as a club and the people involved in it over the last couple of years. It’s hard to describe the feeling of when I found out I was in the squad vs Ipswich, I was nervous but that was overridden by excitement. Stepping on the pitch was a very proud moment for me and in a game like that I was very grateful for the chance to play against a professional team on my debut. 

DK: Can you describe how you found the whole experience in general? 

 

FC: From receiving the message on Friday evening to actually arriving at Bloomfields on Saturday is all a bit of a blur. I remember waking up Saturday morning slightly nervous but also extremely excited. Walking into the ground as a player rather than as a fan was a very different feeling. And then I found myself in the dressing room with players that I have looked up to for the last couple of years. This was by far the biggest crowd I have walked out in front of and getting on the pitch was a real bonus. Scoring in the penalty shootout at the end very much topped off a great day. 

DK: How did you find it being on the same pitch as professional footballers? 

FC: Firstly it was a fantastic learning experience. It has made me even more determined to work hard and fully commit myself to NMFC academy this coming season. Of course it was great to be amongst players that have made it into the professional game. And gave an insight into the levels needed to reach this standard. 

DK: We can't not talk about THAT penalty, can you talk us through what was going through your mind as you stepped up and took it?

FC: Firstly the goalkeeper (Walton) was huge and made the goal look like a 5-a-side goal. Also to take it in-front of all the fans at that end was something that I was confident to do. I stuck the principle of pick a side a put it there and not change my mind. Once I was walking up I managed to stay focused and slot the penalty into the top right corner. Seeing the ball hit that back of the net was more a feeling of relief than joy.

DK: You sent Walton the wrong way into the top bin...

FC: Yes he definitely made the goal look very small but I managed to stay calm and put it in the back of the net.  

DK: How did you decide who took which side?

FC: Kev was asking who wanted to take one in front of the large crowd at that end and I backed myself to score so decided to take on the pressure!  

DK: Of what you saw of the shootout, what was the best one - but you can't pick yours?

FC: I can’t decide which one was the best, it’s out of Cameron Burgess who smashed it right in the top corner with lots of power. Or Marcus who also leathered it high into the goal! 

DK: Did it help squash any nerves having Seth, Taylor, Hugh & Ewan in the squad, having played with them in the Under-18s?

FC: Having them in the squad was really good as I have got to know them over the last year playing alongside them in a lot of games including the u18s and Reserves.

@needhammarketfc NERVES OF STEEL 😏 @f.crosthwaite comes on for his first team debut a calmly slots it past a league one keeper in front of a sell out crowd 🥶 #NeedhamMarketFC Needham Market Academy #fyp #viral #foryoupage #nonleaguefootball #footballtiktok #trending ♬ Know Yourself - Drake

(C) DREW KENDALL/ NEEDHAM MARKET F.C.

TAYLOR CLARK | END OF SEASON NMFC 2021-22 Q+A | 9

The inaugural Needham Market F.C. Young Player Of Year award winner, Taylor Clark reflects on his first season involved with the first team.

Taylor Clark scoring his maiden First Team goal at St Ives

1. Now the season is complete, how do you feel the season went overall for the team?

TC: Overall the season was good, obviously with FA trophy run and then winning the Suffolk cup. Our League campaign was off from where we want to be but still some positives to take from it.

2. How did the season fare for you personally?

TC: Personally I really enjoyed this season, starting in the reserves and then being given an opportunity in the first team was a good feeling and I’m grateful for it.

3. Looking back at the FA Trophy run now, how do you reflect on it? Can you pick a standout moment?

TC: The trophy run was great for the club and for us players, if I could pick a moment it would probably be starting against Yeovil.

4. Do you remember much about what was going through your mind during that specific moment?

TC: When I found out I was starting it was more excitement than anything and playing in the stadium infront of the crowd was a moment I won’t forget.

5. Any point in either the cup run or season in general you knew something special could be round the corner?

TC: After we built some momentum in the home games beating Dartford and Wealdstone there was an injection of confidence within the squad.

6. Looking at league season how do you summarise it?

TC: The league results wise was off the standards we set, but still some positives to take from it to build into this coming season.

7. Are there any league games that stand out to you?

TC: Alverchurch away was a standout game, coming from behind to win it was class.

8. Best personal and or team performance in a game this season?

TC: St Ives away personally was one of my best performances, coming on to impact the game and to pick up my first senior goal was nice.

9. Your player of the season and why?

TC: It’s close as there are a few but I went for Keiran because of his leadership and giving 100% every week.

10. If you could relive any full game from this season, which one would you pick and why?

TC: Wealdstone was a game I’d like to relive, the home crowd and playing infront of friends and family was nice.

11. Are there any other moments from the season standout to you?

TC: I’d say my first league start against Peterborough Sports was a standout moment to me.

12. Can you describe how it felt to be the first player to win the club's Young Player Of The Year award?

TC: It was a nice feeling winning the award, I’m grateful that the club and management team gave me the platform to play week on week.

TOM FITZGERALD | NEEDHAM MARKET END OF SEASON Q+A 2021-22 | 8

Next up in the Needham Market End Of 2021-22 series, midfielder Tom Fitzgerald reflects on a "very positive" campaign from his personal perspective. 

1. Now the season is complete, how do you feel the season went overall for the team?

TF: For the team I think the season was a very positive one. Despite not making the playoffs and only finishing mid table, the fa trophy run along with winning the Suffolk cup was a great achievement.

2. How did the season fare for you personally?

TF: Personally I would also say it’s been very positive. I feel I’ve improved as a player and am now a more important member of the squad. My injuries have held me back a bit but it has still been good.

3. Looking back at the FA Trophy run now, how do you reflect on it? Can you pick a standout moment?

TF: The fa trophy run was unbelievable and something I’m really proud to be apart of. The highlight would have to be the away win at Yeovil and Marco’s heroics.

4. Do you remember much about what was going through your mind during that specific moment?

TF: Watching from the sideline, I remember being extremely nervous but also felt very confident that we would win.

5. Any point in either the cup run or season in general you knew something special could be round the corner?

TF: There were a few moments across the league season that I thought we were going to gather some real momentum but it never quite happened. For me the fa trophy was completely unexpected.

6. Looking at league season how do you summarise it?

TF: Disappointing. We could have done so much more but for whatever reason it never quite materialised.

7. Are there any league games that stand out to you?

TF: The howler I had away at Royston was pretty memorable. Stratford away was another memorable game, for the right reasons. There was a lot of late drama and some great goals.

8. Best personal and or team performance in a game this season?

TF: Personally, I think my best game and the best team performance was against Wealdstone in the fa trophy. We completely dominated them in the first half and definitely deserved the win in the end.

9. Your player of the season and why?

TF: For me it’s between Ingers and Marco. Both were exceptional. Luke’s goals and work rate from the first game to the last was admirable. Marco had all our big moments and stepped up when it mattered - every time.

10. If you could relive any full game from this season, which one would you pick and why?

TF: For myself it would be Wealdstone, because it was our first big test in the fa trophy and I feel I had a really strong game. Beating them at Bloomfields was superb.

11. Are there any other moments from the season standout to you?

TF: Marco’s moment against Yeovil. The team were brilliant throughout that match but Marco’s saves and penalty were very special.

CALLUM PAGE | END OF 2021-22 SEASON NMFC Q+A | 7

For the seventh Q&A I caught up with Needham Market attacking midfielder Callum Page, and discussed how returning the Ipswich Town loanee felt it went. 

1. Now the season is complete, how do you feel the season went overall for the team?

CP: The season was a bit of a rocky and bumpy one, but we all stuck together! An unreal cup run, whereas some may say we underachieved in the league, but as a whole the main thing was game by game we stuck together.

2. How did the season fare for you personally?

CP: Personally I wasn’t consistent enough for my liking, I know what I’m capable of and at times I showed it but I wanted it to be through all of the season. But there’s always room for improvement!

3. Looking back at the FA Trophy run now, how do you reflect on it? Can you pick a standout moment?

CP: Wow! What a run it was. There’s no better feeling than winning 3 games as underdogs in each. Standout moment has to be Yeovil, the penalty shootout was a heart in mouth moment for the whole thing! But what a day it was!

4. Do you remember much about what was going through your mind during that specific moment?

CP: I felt on top of the world the morale in the changing room and the mood after the game was a feeling like no other. Unreal.

5. Did it feel any different re-signing for the club on loan?

CP: It’s a place I’m familiar and comfortable at, therefore I enjoyed it loads! A great club and will always have a place in my heart, but now it’s time for me to come out of my comfort zone!

6. How does it feel to have finished as the club's joint second top scorer in the league this season?

CP: It feels good! Didn’t score anywhere near as much as I’d of liked to but I’ll take that. Started quite strong in terms of scoring and died off a bit, but it’s what I always want to do is score and help the team!

7. What's your favourite goal you personally scored this season and why?

CP: My favourite goal this season was my goal at home against Tamworth, turned the defender inside out, left foot post and in! And a 1-0 win alongside it couldnt of got any better!

8. Any point in either the cup run or season in general you knew something special could be round the corner?

CP: You could tell after we beat Wealdstone! Our mentality and mindset going into playing these teams in higher leagues than us. Was something else we was fearless!

9. Looking at the league season how do you summarise it?

CP: The cup run was great! But some may say we underachieved in the league! Still a season with lots of highs!

10. Are there any league games that stand out to you?

CP: I’m going to say Alvechurch, 2-0 down at half time and not only that we was getting played off the park! I’m wet and boggy conditions we stick together and got a goal early in the second half. And then after that all of the momentum was with us!

11. Best personal and or team performance in a game this season?

CP: Best personal performance would be for me Dartford, I feel I was a threat the whole game. Which is what I always want to be. And a team performance I would say Dartford again.. we pressed the life out of them and made sure they had no room to play! What a day!

12. Your player of the season and why?

CP: My player of the season has to be Marco.. I know his job is to stop the other team from scoring but the amount times the man has made me speechless with the saves he makes, what a guy!

13. If you could relive any full game from this season, which one would you pick and why?

CP: Yeovil, everything about it. The nerves, the adrenaline. Best day in my football career so far.