Tell us about your past playing history
I’ve played for a few teams in Suffolk. I signed for Whitton United with my brother when they were in the Thurlow Nunn Premier. I’ve also played for Maldon & Tiptree but didn’t play to many games for them. I've also played for Burnham Ramblers when they were in the Isthmian North.

Thoughts on last season at Wivenhoe? Both from a team and personal perspective.
Last season for wasn’t a bad one and there were some fantastic performances, especially at the start of the season. We went on a brilliant run playing some quality football. We set up in a 4-4-2 for a while and that seemed to work really well for a few weeks, we were pressing teams hard and not letting them plau out. Then for one reason or another we just couldn’t keep that going for the duration of season. However, we let ourselves down mid season and drew and lost far to many games when we in the driving seat, we lacked game management. The Hackney Wick away game sticks out for me, being 2–0 up and losing 4-2 in the second half because we were to eager to get the next goal rather than just being disciplined and hard to beat. Hopefully we can learn from that for next season.

Personally I didn’t have a bad season. I contributed goals and set up quite a few. I enjoyed playing most of the season in a deeper role than usual, more of a central midfielder than a number 10.

Hopes for the coming season?
I think with the players we’ve got we should be right up there all season. We just need to show a desire to battle in every game and we will be fine. We can’t always rely on being technical and playing lovely football as that gets hard in the winter months. We need roll our sleeves up more often and battle teams before we start playing then hopefully our quality will come through! Promotion next year I think!

Last season's best moment?
Being part of the team against Lopes Tavares. In the changing room at half time,
3-0 down and everyone was pointing fingers and moaning with me being the worst one. At half-time we just basically said we need to cut it out and just battle. We ended up winning that game, not by playing beautiful football. But by battling and rolling our sleeves. We battled and we got behind each other and every tackle we made was celebrated like a goal. Other teams hate that, it was a brilliant result.

Last season's worst moment?
Losing to Halstead in the cup. I hate losing to them as it is and I know a few of their lads and we seem to have a good battle every time. I got booked and subbed early and probably played one of my worst games. I was targeted quite a bit and without doubt lost my head and probably should of got sent off. The whole team was poor really. Those are the kind of games I love to to have an have an affect on the team but that day I didn’t!

Team mate questions

Fittest Player?
We have a few, but for me Dean Merrett or my brother (Jack Mead). I watch Dean sprint 20 / 30 metres across the pitch to press a centre back, it gets switched again and then he’s off again to press the ball, sometimes in the latter stages of the game. My brother played nearly every game last year and is up and down like a yo-yo!

Slowest Player?
I’ve never seen Matt Coppen break into a sweat, he might be quick to be fair, who knows? But probably him. We all sprint in the warm ups before games and he just eases himself through his paces. He’s either slow or lazy!

Player who loves himself the most?
Matt Tapley is always putting pictures up on Facebook from his modelling shoots in Paris or New York! Never has a bit of a mud on him after a game. He calls it good positioning and discipline. I just don’t think he likes to get muddy or tackle!

Worst Dressed?
Hard one as I haven’t seen to many people out of their football kits and we haven’t had our night out yet, but I’m going to go with David Lopez! He has big baggy tracksuit trousers and then a big old Parker coat as well. Sorry Dave!

Team Joker?
We have a few. Matt Coppen is funny with his one liners and Lewis Hagland can make me laugh because he’s just mental! Fitz is brilliant too and on you the moment you walk into the changing room!

Teacher's Pet
Lewis Hagland is on the Manager before and after every game.

Worst for fines?
CJ Cabulo I think. He’s always late! Every week.

Sam Mead - Wivenhoe Town Record - 31 Games, 6 Goals

Player sponsorship available for next season