CAPTAIN Phil Glover says he would love to finally win the Midland Football League in his 10th season with Westfields.

Glover has gone close before, finishing runners-up with Sean Edwards' team in successive seasons and Westfields will once again be tipped to do well this season.

However, before they kick off their MFL campaign, the small matter of an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie against Bewdley Town awaits this Saturday.

This time last year, Westfields beat Stourport Swifts 4-3 thanks to a last-gasp Craig Jones penalty which started an incredible FA Cup journey that took them all the way to the first round proper.

Glover says that has been the highlight of his spell at Westfields, but the league is the bread and butter and he has rallied his troops to ensure they do much better this time round.

Westfields won their opening 10 league games last season, but a poor second half to the campaign saw them slump to fifth place in the division – some 22 points behind champions Alvechurch.

"It will take a lot to beat last year because the FA Cup run is something that I will never forget, but we let ourselves down in the second part of the season," said Glover.

"It was also disappointing finishing runner-up the first time round to Gresley.

"They scored a 95th minute winner against us and went on to win the league, which was hard to take.

"Then Stratford won it and it took us a couple of years to find out feet again."

Glover started off his Westfields career as a striker, netting 20 goals in his first season with the first team, which followed a 32-goal knock for the reserves.

And despite being the lynchpin of the defence, Glover still occasionally goes upfront when called upon.

"I've still got an eye for a goal and I think I may have got up to 80 goals for the club," said Glover.

"I'm 34 now and came back after missing a year out with injury.

"I honestly don't know if anyone has ever come in for me, I haven't been told anyway.

"But I've never been interested in going anywhere else and I'm not motivated by money.

"I used to live 50 yards from the ground by the Golden Lion pub and walked to the ground.

"I just love playing with my mates.

"Sean Edwards has also been a fantastic manager over the 10 years, he has such much drive and enthusiasm, it’s unbelievable.

“Likewise, Andy Morris, who has done so much during the past 50 years. They all do a fantastic job behind the scenes that I have only taken notice of during the last few seasons.” 

Morris, who is Westfields’ chief executive, said Glover is an outstanding defender who has been very supportive to the club off the pitch and has been a great servant on and off the pitch.

"He has secured sponsorship for the team through various outlets where he has business contacts and even sponsored the team himself through his business A P Carpentry with tracksuits," said Morris.

"He has also promoted our advertising boards around the ground to generate further income which is not something all players do.

"Phil has led by example as captain of the team and introduced funding to the club through other avenues which has been tremendously well received by the club committee.

"As a player and a loyal member of the club I cannot praise Phil enough for what he has done over the last 10 years as it is players like Phil who are local to Westfields."