Dave Frecklington has won his first award as Spalding United manager – but he admits that it’ll mean nothing if his side aren’t in the hunt for more prizes come the end of the season.
The Tulips saw their amazing start to the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South campaign rewarded on Sunday when they were named as the season’s first winners of the division’s Club of The Month award.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chasetown extended Spalding’s unbeaten start in the league to ten matches and ensured they remained clear at the top of the table.
Frecklington, who has been a revelation at the Tulips helm since joining the club from Lincoln United in the summer, feels the award is just reward for his charges – but isn’t getting carried away.
He said: “To be the club of the month for September is obviously great news. I’m absolutely delighted – achieving accolades is always nice.
“We couldn’t really have done much more and to receive that recognition is a nice boost for the lads.
“It’s a reward for all of the hard work we’ve put in and everybody is buzzing.
“But we’ll not get carried away, it’s only September. We want to be in the hunt for trophies and awards at the end of the season.”
Despite overseeing Spalding’s stellar start to the season, Frecklington admits that he’s a little concerned by the size of his squad after receiving a double blow on the striker front.
Summer recruit Bradley Barraclough is set to be out for a few more months after scans revealed that he has ligament damage in his foot. He’ll have to wear a protective boot for five weeks, meaning he’s unlikely to feature until at least December.
Transfer target Sam Mulready also opted to join higher-graded St Neots Town from Stamford after holding talks with Frecklington last week.
And, with Lincoln City loanees Andrew Wright and Cenk Acar set to return to their parent club next month, the Tulips chief admits he’s going to need to dip back into the market.
“I don’t carry big squads,” added Frecklington. “But we are a little light on bodies with “Barra” injured and the Lincoln lads due to return.
“I’m gutted for Bradley, he was a signing we were right to be excited about in the summer. But the plus side is that he’ll be like a new signing when he’s ready to return.
“As for the Lincoln lads, we’d obviously like to keep them for longer. But we’ll have to sit down and discuss what the options are. They’ve been first class for us and have been a credit to themselves and the club.
“We obviously wanted Sam Mulready to join us, but St Neots is a good move for him. I imagine that Stamford did everything that they could to ensure he didn’t join us, but that’s fine.
“They already got burnt by letting us have Bradley Wells.
“We’re in the market for a striker and maybe something will develop over the next ten days. We’ll not just sign anyone, they’ll have to improve us.”
Spalding take a break from league action this weekend as they switch their attention to the FA Trophy – albeit a trip to divisional rivals Gresley (3pm).
The Moatmen are the only other side to be unbeaten in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South, but were lucky to escape the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field with a 2-2 draw last month.
Frecklington is hoping his side can have a run in the competition in order to boost the club coffers, something that would prove beneficial in his search for a new frontman.
He added: “We should really have beaten Gresley a few weeks ago, that one still doesn’t sit right.
“But you have to give them credit, they refused to give up at 2-0 down and rescued a point.
“Having not progressed too far in the FA Cup, it’d be nice to progress a few rounds in the Trophy and get some money in.
“If we can do that, I’ll be knocking on the chairman’s door and asking if we can add to the squad.”
Spalding will travel to Moat Street (post code DE11 9RE) with the same squad that drew at Chasetown.
