In today’s game, teams at all levels of football are looking for the extra few percentages that can make a difference at the end of a season.
7th Tier Southern League Premier Division side Needham Market are no different.
Led by Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben Mendrys, performance monitoring has become an increasingly important part of how the club prepares players, manages workload, and maintains standards across a demanding schedule, in an incredibly competitive league.
At the end of the 20256/26 season, 3 teams finished level in the final promotion spot on 70 points each – showing the fine margains at stake at this level of football.
With quick turnarounds between fixtures and the physical demands of the season continuing to rise, the introduction of STATSports athlete monitoring technology has allowed the coaching staff to take a more informed and proactive approach to player performance.
Supporting Performance across a demanding schedule
For the coaching staff, one of the biggest advantages of using STATSports GPS technology has been the ability to accurately track player load and use that information to keep the squad performing at a consistent level. In a season where demands are high and recovery time is limited, ensuring players are physically ready for each game is essential.
“It’s really useful for us to be able to monitor that load really well and allow us to actually keep people as fit and as fresh as possible for every single one of those games, which is vital for us that we get a result.”
With objective data now available, staff can better understand the physical output of each player and adjust training sessions accordingly. This ensures the right balance between intensity and recovery, giving the club a clearer picture than visual assessment alone could provide.
“For us, total distance, high speed running and sprint distance are massive metrics. They’re key to understanding the demands we’re placing on players.”
At semi professional level, this additional insight has become a valuable tool for both short term preparation and long term player management.
Creating a Professional Environment
Alongside the practical performance benefits, the introduction of GPS tracking technology has also had a positive impact on the mentality and professionalism within the squad, helping players feel more connected to the standards and practises typically associated with elite level football environments.
Captain Keiran Morphew explains:
“I think personally just wearing the vests, wearing the GPS,with other teams, it makes you feel like they’re in a professional outfit. I feel the same. So when I’ve got these on during games, I feel like more of a professional.”
Alongside this, the visibility of performance data has also helped create a healthy sense of friendly competition within the squad, with players naturally pushing each other to hit higher physical standards.
Mendrys States,
“The players are really interested in their stats, which helps get them involved and creates a little bit of competition between the lads as well.”
That shift in perception has helped reinforce higher standards across the club, contributing to a more focused, performance driven environment in both training and matchdays.
Gaining an Edge at Semi Professional Level
In semi professional football, where resources can often be more limited and small details can make significant differences over the course of a season, having access to reliable performance data has given Needham another valuable tool to help maximise player preparation and maintain consistency during demanding periods.
Strength & conditioning coach Ben Mendrys says:
“I’d massively recommend it to any semi pro club that’s looking to gain an advantage, particularly at this level where, we’ve mentioned before about those quick turnarounds in games and the load as well”.
With better visibility over how much work players are doing, the coaching staff are able to plan more effectively and maintain performance levels across the season.
“This year we’ve seen a reduction in injuries because we’ve been able to manage load much more effectively, rather than just asking people how they’re feeling.”
Coach Mendrys has played an important role in integrating performance monitoring into the club’s weekly processes, working closely with the team to ensure the data collected is used effectively to support both player development and physical preparation.
“So having that load really helps to gain an advantage over any opposition team that don’t have it”.
Through the combination of GPS tracking data, physical conditioning work, and regular communication with players and coaches, Needham Market has built a more structured approach to managing player readiness while also helping reduce the likelihood of unnecessary overload during periods of competition.
Building Consistency in Long Term Performance
Ultimately, the introduction of performance monitoring technology at Needham Market has helped the club create a more informed and performance focused environment, where decisions around training, recovery, and player management can be supported by objective data as well as coaching experience.
With greater visibility of workload and physical output, staff are better equipped to keep players fit, fresh, and performing consistently throughout the season, while continuing to raise standards that support both individual development and collective success over the long term.
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