Upon the Silkmen’s return to pre-season training, Assistant Manager Francis Jeffers spoke to Silkmen TV to review the first day back, summer business so far and hopes for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.
The first point which came to the forefront for Jeffers was the condition in which the players had returned, remarking “the lads have come back in good nick, and I thought it was a really good first day back”
Jokingly making reference to the difference in pre-season routine to his playing days, a tongue in cheek comment followed “it’s a bit different to when I came back as a player, the lads didn’t come in such good condition, they’re different players to the ones I played with, they’ve really looked after themselves and applied themselves unbelievably on the first day”
Touching on the intentions behind the first week back, Fran explained “everything’s geared towards the first game, pre-season is important that you take care of your fitness and get yourself in to the best position to be in the starting eleven”
Playing down the importance of the end results of the games coming up in a non-competitive nature, he “you don’t want to lose pre-season games, but winning isn’t the ultimate goal it’s about getting fit and staying fit”
Making light of the introduction of the summer signings, Jeffers joked “there’s no settling in period for them, they’re getting caned from the second they’ve walked through the door, we had a great dressing room last season and we showed how important that was at times, and it’ll be no different this year, team camaraderie can take you a long way”
On getting a first look at his new summer signings on their first day at the Club, Fran was “looking forward to seeing everyone, John and Ant took pre-season last year, so it’s a bit different this year, it’s about jelling, bedding in, finding players who can play together and compliment each other”
The Assistant Manager also eluded to the healthy competition in the squad, advising the players to “try and get that shirt for the first game and if you get it, keep hold of it. The competition for places is unbelievable, we’ve got two starters in every position and we’re looking to add more, we’re not finished and we’re all on the same page that we have an unbelievable squad that we need to add to again, without expectations going through the roof, we have to be at the top end of the table”
Whilst visualising the team as a whole, Jeffers was quick to add “it’s a team game but you also have to focus on yourself, push yourself to your level and limits, up to maximum fitness and get yourself in that team for the first game”
Reflecting on nearing his first twelve months in the role, Fran conceded “I didn’t know what to expect, I didn’t come in until late, there was lots of change but it seems a lot more settled now, ultimately we came up short but that season was one to be proud of”
Acknowledging the efforts of all involved, Rooney’s right hand man paid tribute to the wider team “everyone played their part, everyone at the Club in their first season in the National League North, everyone deserves a lot of credit”
Conscious of the short coming last season, Jeffers insisted “next season we don’t want to come up short, last season the challenge was a bit different, but the expectation is to go one better”
Recognising the now familiar challenge that lies ahead, he noted “its a really difficult league, the play-offs are a bit of a lottery, we know our aim is to get out of this league, we’ll need a bit of luck along the way, but those players are thinking the same as me, there’s a squad in there to take us to the next level”
Admitting there was a lot of learning last year, but also thoroughly enjoying the challenge, Jeffers wanted to place on record “I didn’t know what to expect but I loved every minute of it, especially the drives home with John, the ones when you’ve been beaten are quieter, but I’ve learnt a bit more about John, ultimately I’m trying to help him, I’ve got a bit more experience and I’m here to help him as much as I can”
Looking back on the highs and lows of last season “the loss to Chester away around Christmas, we were 15th in the league, I remember getting in the car, having a real chat and wondering how we can put this right. We stuck together as a Club, the fans stuck with us and we went on an unbelievable run, including the Emirates FA Cup”
On turning the ship around “they stuck with us at tough times, it can’t all be rosey, the Chester game was the lowest point, but after that we went on a remarkable run, we know the reasons why we were so low, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, we were still finding out information and find a formula that worked and standard of player that was going to take us up the league and we started to find combinations that worked”
Paying tribute to the fans “I think we gave the fans a team to be proud of, that’s all most fans ask for and when they rock up in pre-season they’ll be behind us with the same expectation as us, without putting pressure on the lads, I expect us to be near the top. We’ve got to get the fans behind us with how we perform on a Saturday, you’re not going to get through a season without blips but the fans have always been with us and that’s what’s always impressed me, on dark days, long nights our fans have been unbelievable and long may that continue.
Watch the interview in full with Francis here:
