Friday Feature: Pritchard Says Maidenhead Thrive Off Being Part-Time

In the Vanarama National League while most are currently full-time, with some deciding during this season it was a move they had to make, Maidenhead United are one of a few who buck that trend, writes Tom Feaheny.

They are currently closing in on safety, that would be deemed a good first season in the league.

Pritchard who has played over 250 times for the club after joining the club in February 2012, works as a personal trainer, while since the turn of the year he has also ready scored eight times in all competitions, this includes him scoring five times in the last four league games.

"The performances the team have been putting in shows that we are matching these sides, sometimes the result hasn't gone our way but it hasn't disheartened us in the slightest", Pritchard said.

"We as a group always want to be looking up than down, that is the mentality that we have had installed in us all, we all want to help each other get over the line and put in the best performances possible."

While being part-time does mean having to get time off from the day job for some matches, and training only twice a week, Pritchard says the fan base they have and the situation they find themselves in after impressing so far, is a big positive.

"Some of the journey's have been long but the fans we have really does help, you go to Hartlepool or Guiseley and they are there, making noise and it is a nice feeling when you see them and when they are leaving with a smile on their faces after a win.

"I think we have thrived off facing them as a part-time team, we are doing okay, it hasn't affected us too much, even when it comes to having time off work, because we have been in this position for a few years now, it is very natural for us, we have a routine and have stuck to it.

"The long-journeys were always going to test us, we didn't have that distance to travel in previous seasons, but when you have a team spirit like ours there is a sense of enjoying this together."

So just what should the aim be for the side, well Pritchard like many says staying up would be something they would celebrate.

"Staying up has to be the main aim, 50 points is the aim and then next season we can look to progress, I know what this club means to so many people so the positive season is really good to see for us all."

Picture by Gary Chadwick

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