QUENTIN TOWNSEND admits his first five months as Pershore Town manager have been an eye-opening experience.
Town sign off their Midland League Division One campaign on Saturday when they visit Heather St John.
However, Townsend is already planning ahead for the 2016/17 season.
Townsend, who took over as boss in November, believes the bulk of the squad is in place now and they will benefit from a well planned pre-season.
Former Kidderminster and Cheltenham striker Kim Casey, who took charge last week when Townsend was away, will be putting their players through their paces after the summer break.
“We’ve won seven games and drawn five out of the 22 games since I came to the club,” said Townsend. “It’s been a learning curve and probably an eye-opener.
“Coming to a club in mid-season and recruiting players hasn’t been easy. Players are settled with clubs and I couldn’t make changes as quickly as I wanted. It’s far easier in the summer.
“We’ll have a break and then get ready for pre-season. We’ll start back on Tuesday, June 28 and that will give us 16 actual sessions, plus the friendlies, to prepare for next season.”
Pershore ended their home campaign with a 3-1 defeat to high-flying Leicester Road on Saturday.
Despite conceding three goals in the first half, a depleted Town rallied in the second half, with Gareth Evans firing home.
“We were struggling for players and both Shaun Griffiths and Dane Aldington had to play despite having injuries, but you learn about players in adversity,” said Townsend.
“We showed plenty of character in the second half. Despite the walking wounded, we certainly didn’t disgrace ourselves.
“We’ve got one game to go now and we want to hopefully sign off in style.”
Leicester Road took early control after Matthew Stenson scored the first goal on 20 minutes and Amarvir Sandhu volleyed home via the post to make it 2-0 eight minutes later.
Greg Downes fired in the visitors’ third from a 20-yard free kick two minutes before the break.
Pershore, however, gave the second half a real go and were rewarded on 54 minutes when Evans collected a long pass from Oliver Casey and flicked the ball past a defender and then slotted home.