NEWS
Hickman staying a Lilywhite
Following the seven-day approach by ex-Town boss Justin Luchford to secure the services of club skipper Tom Hickman for his new club Whitstable Town, we are pleased to announce that Tom is staying with the club where he has made over 130 appearances.
"I was not shocked that Justin came in for players at the club, just shocked it was me" said Hickman following his decision. "During our time together at the club, it was Justin who said I should settle at the club and now here he is trying to get me to leave!
"Whilst Justin's system of play was effective in gaining promotion from the Kent League, we were like robots with the direct style of play but there was no Plan B if that system failed.
"Now under the leadership of Ray Turner, we are have a very open style of play and I think that shows from the performances.
"Yes players have their specific roles and duties to perform but there is an element of freedom to our play however, we are still in a transitional phase.
"We are pushing for a play-off place here at the club and a move to Whitstable was never in my mind.
Goals have been at a premium this season for the Lilywhites but, with the arrival of Danny Hockton, Hickman is confident the goals will come. "We are getting the crosses in and once Danny gets off the mark, the goals will flow.
"We will have trained twice this week and Danny's sharpness is coming and with the likes of Adrian Stone and Aaron Quain in the side also, who I think can all play at the same time, we will start scoring more.
"Defensively we are very solid and stubborn to break down."
With his experience, along with the likes of Hockton and Shearer in the side, Hickman was keen to point out how this experience can help the yonger players who may have been 'mentally weak' to get through games but was at pains to say "we need to avoid too many draws as some recent ones have felt like defeats where we have not been able to kill teams off whilst on top."
Asked about his future, Tom said he had no ambition to move but in non-league football things change very quickly. However, with Turner in charge, Hickman, who he called a 'modern manager' was more than happy to continue his footballing career here at Faversham and maybe progress into coaching and management. Asked if he saw himself as Town manager in the future, he said "maybe in partnership with Ray.
"Non league football helps develop young and talented footballers and are good for the clubs; look at Jack Baldwin and the success he has signing for Hartlepool, again good press for our club."
After my conversation with Tom, I was left with a feeling of his passion for the game and committment to the Faversham Town cause. "Football is fun but serious" said Hickman. I could not have put it better myself.
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