After confessing to allowing distractions affect the quality of his performances last season at Avondale, Chris May is hoping to return to his high standard as one of the NPL’s top goalkeepers.
“I’ll be the first one to admit it, it wasn’t my best season and I had a number of off-field issues that entered that,” May explained to MFootball.
“I’ve been in this league for five years and I’ve won awards and trophies but I do have standards and I want to put that right.”
May made the move to promoted side St Albans Saints as one of Kruni Razov’s first signings for 2017. The glovesman didn’t see the side needing to make too great of a change in personnel to prepare for the top flight, however.
“They have a team that did very well last season and they don’t need to go out and add too many new faces.
“I don’t think they’re in a rush to go out and try pull in 20 odd players,” he explained. “Obviously one or two more can only be a good thing at the end of the day.”
[NEWS] Our 2017 squad continues to take shape, with Chris May becoming Kruni Razov's first new signing of the off-season. pic.twitter.com/XXez8vrss9
— St Albans Saints SC (@albans_st) November 3, 2016
The Goalkeeper of the Year 2015 winner spoke positively on the environment and vision that the Saints had presented him with. He also saw his time at Melbourne Knights as giving him insight into the works of a Croatian club and fans.
“I’ve had enough of an experience with Croatian fans and Croatian clubs through my time at Knights.
“A couple of weeks ago I sat down with Kruni [Razov] and Jason Xerri and hashed it all out there and I didn’t need too much convincing.
“Even from two minutes into the conversation you could see that everything they’re trying to do is the right things, it’s within their means.”
“I’ve been in this league for five years and I’ve won awards and trophies but I do have standards and I want to put that right.” – Chris May
The experienced NPL player revealed that a clear message from both board and playing staff made the decision an easier one to make for him presenting a convincing plan for 2017.
“I think that everybody there is on the same page and I think when you’ve got that cohesion through from the playing staff to the business staff then it’s only going to lead to good things.
“I think they’re realistic so by all means I don’t think we’re going to be anywhere down near the bottom but in the same vein I don’t think it’ll be one of those seasons to be in that top two or three.
“I think the way that St Albans are doing it is definitely the right way and I think it’ll show on the pitch.”
May highlighted the lasting nature of the planning at Churchill Reserve with the club not merely looking for short-term joy when making the step up into the state’s premier competition.
“They don’t want to just go there and throw money around, they want to build a foundation,” the new signing said. “They’re looking to build a long-term future in that league.”
“They’re looking at building that squad that’s going to be there for years to come.”
DION FOUNTASAfter a year of poor performance by his own standard, the Englishman has said he’ll seek a better showing in 2017, though doesn’t necessarily feel a pressure to perform.
“I don’t need to prove myself at that level despite having not my greatest season last year.
“I want to put my performances right first and foremost but not on the sacrifice of the team.
“I want to win every game and keep clean-sheets and that would be my goal regardless.”
The 31-year-old revealed he’s also hoping to get involved in helping develop young talent at his new club on top of his own objectives.
“I’m all about helping those younger players, those less-experienced players develop.
“I’m not going to be around forever and if I can help out players where they need it or whatever then I’m more than willing to do that.
“First and foremost get my performances right then secondly be as big of an asset as I can be.”