Adam Everitt says there is a completely different atmosphere at Hayes & Yeading this season, writes Richard Warwick.

The experienced defender is one of only three survivors from the previous campaign, along with midfielders Luke Williams and Dan Wishart, and is enjoying life more this time round.

United struggled last season and went through three management teams as Nas Bashir, Tony O’Driscoll and then Delroy Preddie and Tristan Lewis all sat in the dugout at times.

All of that upheaval, coupled with a disappointing set of results, caused dissension in the ranks at the Kingfield tenants.

But Phil Babb swept into the club this summer and steadied the ship, with Everitt claiming the tensions in the dressing room have gone and a more together unit now exists.

Skrill Conference South - Hayes & Yeading United FC vs Tonbridge Angels FC
Barking orders: Phil Babb

“The atmosphere around the club is completely different to last season – it’s a totally different club," Everitt said ahead of this weekend's trip to Tonbridge.

“Last season there were players who perhaps didn’t care as much before and were looking after themselves more than the team.

“It’s made a difference that we’ve got players that want to do well, and if we don’t do well, who want to put that right. We might not always be able to do that, but we always want to, which is a good place to start.

“Everyone’s had to buy into the team mentality this year and we win as a team or lose as a team. There’s a good atmosphere in the changing room and some good characters.”

The full-back has played for both Yeading and Hayes in the past and is enjoying his football at Kingfield this term more than ever – despite a run of four straight defeats, the latest of which being a 2-1 defeat at Bromley on Saturday.

Everitt’s place in the side has been further cemented by Tom Bird’s recent departure from the club and the defender is looking forward to the second half of the campaign.

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In action: Danny Wishart

He said: “I’m really enjoying this season so far. I can’t remember enjoying my football this much before, not for a long time at least.

“I’ve got an affinity for the club; I’ve played for the two previous clubs before and it’s quite close to my home, so it was great to be able to sign for this season again.

“In this league, if you string a few results together you can jump up quite a few places.

“We need to keep pushing and make that next step now – to push for the top and the title. We haven’t set any goals for the season, but we’ve got a good set of players and I’d be disappointed if we didn’t want to push on to that next level now.”

Hayes & Yeading visit Tonbridge Angels tomorrow (Saturday) and host Bath City the following Tuesday.

Their game on Tuesday at home to one of Everitt’s former clubs, Staines Town, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.