The success of the men’s 1st XI, and general well-being of the club, has much to do with the drive and experience of men’s first-team coach, Ian Jennings.
The former England international (38 caps) has introduced a raft of measures designed to progress Aldershot & Farnham, the latest being a sponsors’ draw that has established ties with local businesses and raised a handsome sum of money that will be ploughed back into the club.
Farnham resident Jennings has fought many battles during his life, literally so in 1982 when, serving in the Parachute Regiment, he received serious shrapnel wound on Wireless Ridge – the last engagement of the Falklands War.
He later competed with Sean Kerly and Richard Dodds – two rather useful players – for places in the England side and just missed out on selection for the team that won Olympic gold in 1988.
But he played in World and European Championships as a central midfielder during a long England career that only ended when he questioned the relevance of a coaching exercise and was told to ‘shut up’. “I decided to call it a day at that stage.”
After his army years – he was a fitness instructor and received a military MBE – and a playing career with England and Guildford, he turned to coaching and worked with England U21 and U18, England Women, and Indian Gumkhana.
He first played for Guildford in 1982 and returned to become head coach in 1990. During his 15 years in two spells at Broadwater, Guildford became one of the top four sides in the country. He finally moved on in 2015 after a difference of opinion about the club’s future direction.
Guildford’s loss was A&F’s gain, but now ‘Jenno’ is fighting his toughest battle to date.
Earlier this year, the former England player, still very fit at 55, was diagnosed with throat cancer and is currently on a course of chemotherapy.
Typically, he has not missed a single training session, even when he lost his voice. “That might have been nice for the players, but I want no sympathy – I just want them to work hard and put into practice what they learn at these sessions,” said Jennings, speaking to the Herald.
“They are a pleasure to coach and are now playing as a unit more than they ever thought was possible. Last season, we never had the right intensity, but a year on, and with two or three new additions, you can see the difference.
“I’m pleased with the progress, but we’ll have a better idea after the first half of the season. Our last two games are against the teams second and third at the moment (Bournemouth and Yateley) and with just one team going up, we can’t afford any slip-ups.”
Having seen a sponsors’ draw work well at Guildford, Jennings pushed for a similar scheme to be launched at A&F.
“People said it wouldn’t work and to me that’s like a red rag to a bull. I want the hockey to be more professional. Players have busy lives. It’s difficult to train twice a week and play on Saturdays and I didn’t want there to be a financial burden on the players. A lot of sacrifice is involved and kit is expensive.
“Everyone was tasked to approach companies we thought might like to be involved with a local club and the response has been extraordinary.”
The many sponsors were entered into a draw and the first winners were Farnham Wholefoods whose name appears on the men’s and women’s first-team shirts for one year.
The sponsorship target was achieved, and more, and the money will go back to the club to benefit all teams, including the many juniors.
The sponsors get exposure in the club’s high-quality match-day programmes and the website. The goodwill factor is vital to the project and, last Saturday, a sponsors’ lunch was held at Daniele’s, one of the sponsors.
Afterwards, A&F men could be seen in action at Heath End School, tearing into Weymouth and thrashing them 9-1.
Jennings, who scored goals for fun last season, mainly from expertly choreographed short corners, hasn’t been able to play this campaign, but the team has done pretty well in the veteran’s absence – eight wins in nine games with one draw, 31 goals scored and a miserly four conceded.
Ian Jennings remains pragmatic about the club’s future. “We want to be a forward-thinking community club with a genuine, realistic ambition, and perhaps a stadium of our own one day. We’re never going to be a National League club, but the Regional is a good target for us.”
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