FECKENHAM’S disappointment over Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at Coton Green has been offset by the return of defender Jamie Firkin and the appointment of Tony Round as chairman.
The Millers took a 1-0 lead at their Tamworth hosts through Ben Welsh but the mid-table home side levelled just before the break and secured maximum points thanks to two goals in an impressive second half performance.
However, Feckenham, whose Evesham Hospital Junior Cup tie at Fairfield Villa on Saturday was postponed, remain sixth and they still harbour ambitions of putting pressure on those above them in the Midland League Division Two promotion race.
Firkin, 23, came through the youth set-up at Stratford Town and Evesham United before completing Midland Combination forms for Inkberrow in 2011 aged 16.
Firkin’s potential and ability was quickly recognised as during the 2013/14 season the talented defender made the switch to the Beehive to play for Midland Combination Premier side Studley under then manager Paul Smith but soon returned to Inkberrow.
In the 2014/15 season Firkin make the switch to West Midlands Regional League outfit Bartley Green Illey FC to team up with now Millers boss Aaron Blackwood and it was a debut to remember as he found the back of the net in a 3-2 victory over Red Star Alma.
Versatile
In the 2015/16 campaign Firkin followed Blackwood to Feckenham and he went on to play a leading role in the Millers side. Capable of playing as a centre-back and right-back, Firkin spent a period away from Saturday football but has recently been playing for Inkberrow’s Stratford Alliance side who sit top of their respective division.
Feckenham joint assistant manager Tom Davies said: “Jamie is a fantastic addition. He’s good friends with Aaron and I know they’ve had some very productive conversations of late.
“He’s got two more league games for Inkberrow and will then join us during a busy period as we play a minimum of 16 games in eight weeks.
“He’s someone we think highly of and will help strengthen a good group of defenders at the club.”
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Round returns to the Entaco as chairman by popular demand.
His association with Feckenham began in the summer of 2016 as assistant manager following an interim spell at West Midlands Regional League outfit Bartley Green Illey FC and a period as head coach at Studley.
In January 2017 Round became manager at Birmingham & District League Premier side Old Hill and, after guiding them to a mid-table position, he returned at the start of this season to again work alongside Blackwood whilst also taking on the committee position of welfare officer to allow the introduction of Feckenham’s U18s in the Midland Floodlit Youth League.
In 2016, despite his role as assistant manager, Round took on many responsibilities off the pitch, assisting and helping the club set important foundations for the future thanks to his football experience, business acumen and enthusiasm for success, which going forward will be invaluable assets to the club.
Fellow committee members – vice-chairman Brian Ellicott, secretary Phil Tattersall and treasurer Ian Sprott – will all offer Round support with his new role.
Sixth-placed Feckenham face a vital match on Saturday when they host second-placed NKF Burbage who, with games in hand, are hot favourites to win the title having lost just once all season – 4-3 at home to Feckenham in August.
STUDLEY’S Midland League Division One game at home to bottom side Coventry Alvis fell victim to a waterlogged pitch on Saturday.
Vaughan Pearshouse will now hope to secure his first win as Bees boss since taking over from Keith Draper when his side host Hinckley AFC on Saturday in a match which sees eighth host fifth.
The sides drew 1-1 in Leicestershire in mid-February in Pearshouse’s first game in charge of Studley.
Studley then visit seventh-placed Racing Club Warwick on Tuesday.
