As 2011 draws to its conclusion, Eddie Slater offers his insight to the first half of the Barons ENL North One adventure after a successful opening to the year that saw the club promoted from Division Two in an unbeaten season.

Despite a bleak opening ten games, in which the Barons recorded only one victory, ever-present defenceman Slater revealed that the squad always believed a good run was just around the corner, so there was no surprise when results started to turn.

“We had a slow start.” He said.

But the last lot of games we definitely picked up. Going unbeaten until the Nottingham defeat was good, so we’ve shown what we can do.

“The boys have got a lot of heart. Things have been going well in training and we’ve been working really hard and with Tom Parker coming in and Mike Rodger coming in as well, it’s definitely been a big boost to us.

“We knew the wins were there and we knew we were good enough. We’ve been unfortunate in a few games and things hadn’t quite worked out for us, so when we got that first win under our belt to get the run going it was excellent.

After a successful December with only one defeat in four games, the future looks bright for an improved Barons outfit as they bid to avoid the relegation trapdoor, with Slater insisting that the squad is more than capable.

He added: “We know we’re good enough and we know we can stay in this league.

“We want to win and get up the league and stay up there, of course we do. So if we can get above Coventry, Telford and those kinds of teams then there’s no reason why we still can’t be playing in this league next year.

“I think we will kick on and improve, we’re doing three weeks of hard graft now. We’ve been getting our heads down and looking at what we need to improve on and I’m sure we’ll come out of it a stronger and better team. Things can only get better and we’ve got to keep on fighting.

“We’ve got to make Solihull a fortress. As long as we can get the wins at home and win dirty away, then that’s what we’ll do.”

The tale ends with an end of year tribute.
A word for the supporters that have stuck by us through thick and thin, and Slater has no doubt that they play a vital part in each and every game.

“When you get a big crowd it’s definitely a boost. It’s just like having another guy out on the ice.” He said.

“We love to hear them chanting and getting on the other team’s back and giving them grief so it helps us.

“It’s great to have fans there like ours because it makes an atmosphere. It makes other teams scared to come down here and play against us.

“Like against Coventry, having 800 odd fans is great, that’s what we want every game because it makes a great atmosphere and that’s what we like playing in.”

Happy New Year!

Next Home Game Sunday 8th January 6pm, Solihull Ice Rink £6 adults, £3 concessions