Amo Sandur confident Wolverhampton Sporting’s ‘core’ will stay around
New chief Amo Sandur insists ‘the core’ of last season’s West Midlands League Premier title-winning squad are staying at Wolverhampton Sporting, writes Joe Edwards.
Former Smethwick gaffer Sandur has taken the reins ahead of their Midland Premier campaign, following Andy Paddock’s decision to step down due to work and family commitments.
They have already announced five pre-season friendlies, and Sandur said: “I have had conversations with the players, and the core are committed.
“If they weren’t committed, then I wouldn’t have committed.
“When lads do as good as they have it’s inevitable that some of the big boys from leagues above will be looking.
“A couple of lads are going to go and test themselves at a higher level and good luck to them – I wouldn’t stand in their way.
“That’s the way you have to approach it as things may not always work out at the higher level and they may end up back with you.”
One who is attracting a lot of attention is striker Tom Hill.
The 22-year-old netted 59 times last campaign and has been at Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy – hoping to make the big time.
Scouts from various Football League and non-league clubs attend the trials put on by the Leicester and England striker.
While likely to be without him, new boss Sandur has spoke of the importance of keeping the camaraderie going among the squad.
“People will say ‘they’re getting paid this and that’ but the big thing is that they’re all very good mates,” he said.
“They have a good time together, spend time with each other away from football as well, and that’s the most important thing.
“They’re great friends and that’s why they’ve been so hard to beat over the past couple of years.”
Sporting have already confirmed friendlies with Sikh Hunters, Lichfield City, Atherstone Town, AFC Bridgnorth and Tipton Town.
They are actively seeking more games, against teams from higher up if possible.
Sandur added: “In an ideal world, I’d like to get some big crowds down to our place.
“We had to get everything together quite quickly, we wanted to busy and we’re happy to have some games confirmed.
“A lot of the big boys already have games pencilled in but hopefully we can sort something out – it’d be great to test ourselves against teams from higher up.”
