Pre-season chat: Zion Hopkins (Borras Park Albion)

Borras Park Albion will compete in the tier 5 North East Wales League Championship this season.

The club finished sixth in the former North East Wales League last term and progressed well in the cups, picking up some fine results on the way.

Assistant-manager Zion Hopkins spoke to Grassroots North Wales about the season ahead.

Grassroots North Wales

Overall, what shape are you in as a first team and club ahead of the 2020-21 season?

Zion Hopkins

The squad is looking really strong.

We’ve lost some players to the division above to Queen’s Park and it’s always difficult losing players who are in your plans but the coaching team discussed potential targets and we’ve got all the players we wanted to – it’s been good.

Grassroots North Wales

You’ve made a few signings, tell us about one or two of your players to look out for this season.

Zion Hopkins

All the signings have been brilliant since they’ve come to the club but I’m really excited to be working with Jack Griffiths.

He was a Borras lad all the way through his youth and his goal-scoring statistics were unbelievable.

Jack was at Queen’s Park and I had spoken to him and said I really want you here and he left to come, so overall really happy.

Grassroots North Wales

Who do you see as the strongest teams in your division?

Zion Hopkins

I think every team is strong to be honest.

There’s some brand new teams and it’ll be competitive this year.

Caerwys and Penyffordd are always up there, both clubs ran by good people and top managers.

Connah’s Quay Town and Ruabon Rovers – I think everyone knows they’ve set up as great outfits and recruited top players so it’s opening up for a strong league.

Grassroots North Wales

How difficult has it been to keep your squad motivated during the Covid-19 crisis? What challenges have you had to overcome?

Zion Hopkins

To be honest the first few months it was hard, everyone was uncertain what was happening, no football which to many people is their passion and it’s difficult not being able to do it.

When Phase 1 was announced it made it a bit better and a little bit of normality, but we’re just waiting for news now.

We’ve trained really well and everyone is getting fitter and fitter so hopefully news soon.

Grassroots North Wales

What are your ambitions for the season ahead?

Zion Hopkins

Our target this season is to win the league.

We spoke at the back end of last season, we were in a semi final, 2 quarter finals and a respectable league position and we know if we were consistent we’d have been near the top.

We need to be consistent this season and we’ve really come together since we’ve been back so let’s try and do it!