It’s not been an easy 12 months for Luke Nippard, who missed large parts of last season with multiple injuries.
But the Poole-born midfielder is back fighting fit and can’t wait to get stuck into the 2021/22 campaign.
Shaun Cooper’s side have played just the one competitive game so far, a 2-0 defeat in a Premier League Cup group game against West Brom.
They head to the Isle of Wight tomorrow evening for their opening game in the Hampshire Senior Cup, Cowes Sports playing host to the Cherries, who won the competition last season.
Ahead of the clash, Nippard spoke about his excitement at the prospect of another competitive game.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he began.
“Personally, I haven’t played a lot of games and I’ve been injured a lot recently, so more minutes is good for me.
“For the team, it’s a cup competition and we are the holders. We want to progress and do well in it again this season.
“We won a couple of cups last season and that’s something that we want to repeat.
“The feeling is great and you can’t replicate it unless you do it, so that’s our aim and something we really want to achieve again.”
The 20-year-old went on to discuss the feel-good factor within the squad, with plenty of new faces in the changing room.
“The atmosphere has been really good and we’re excited to play games.
“The team has been getting on really well, we’ve trained well and we’re looking forward to it.
“It’s been great to have Tommy Elphick around the place. When I was younger, me and my brother watched a lot of the games and he’s a club legend, so it’s weird working with him but also really good. He seems like he’s got a lot of knowledge and I think he’ll really help us.
“The under-18s have also settled in well, they’ve all come in and joined in and they don’t feel out of place either.
“Some of them might pick up injuries and I can certainly help them get through that.
“It might be psychologically hard but I feel like I’ve grown up and I can pass on any experience that I have.”
Nippard admitted that it had been a tough year, but he’s ready to put it behind him and make strides in the 2021/22 season.
“It’s been very frustrating,” he concluded.
“It’s not even been one injury, I’ve been in and out with a few things, but I feel fit now. I feel good and the consistency is there.
“I want to keep playing games and kick on.”
