|
|
|
|
the T-Ender Terrace Trash
A few seasons ago we made a rash attempt to offer ourselves
up for a season of ridicule by doing our best to predict what the season
held for our division. We have a proud record of getting one or two things
right and quite a lot wrong, most embarassingly putting Taunton in Devon
a few seasons ago. Anyway, we've done our best to track all the usual
close season intrigue so that you can make one or two well educated comments
at our first few games and impress your mates with your in-depth knowledge.
Be careful though, our crystal ball has previously seemed to have been
swapped in the night for one of those strange Hall of Mirrors The odds below are all taken from Skybet, and are correct at the time of writing. To see current odds visit Skybet here. (And no, we're not on commission, more's the pity). You can also visit the websites of the clubs whose ambitions we've rubbished by clicking on their badges.
Aylesbury United It's getting harder to figure out what on earth is going on with the Ducks. Last season we were told they were recovering from serious cash problems but were then treated to seeing a squad of around 50 players warming up before the match at Meadow Park. This season things do seem to have got a little bit tight after what ended up being a disappointing season as Aylesbury missed out on the play-offs. This season they will be aiming to make the top five again, and will still be one of the sides to beat this season - especially for City who seem to have developed a bit of an inferiority complex about the Bucks side since our Trophy quarter-final exit at their hands a few years ago. The purse strings have certainly been drawn in a little but highly rated boss Danny Nicholls has stayed despite the budget cuts and will be delighted to have retained most of his key players. This includes striker Drew Roberts who will be partnered up front by veteran forward Darren Hay who moves from King's Lynn. A surprise loss is last season's captain Paul Lamb who has headed for Banbury, but there remains a nucleus of a strong team and they will be pleased to have a more settled pre-season than last year. That continuity will benefit them but they will struggle to match last season's campaign this time out.
Banbury United This looks like being another tough season for the Puritans. The one thing that kept Banbury comfortably above the rising tides last saeason were the regular goals of Howard Forinton but he has now headed off for Halesowen and with his departure things look a little gloomy in this corner of Oxfordshire. Manager Kevin Brock is a canny operator but he lacks funds to attract players and has been outbid for several close season targets. Much will depend on young striker Andy Baird who joins from Brackley but will do well to match Forinton's goalscoring record. Midfielder Paul Lamb has joined from Aylesbury and is a strong signing but will need to invigorate those around him to avoid relegation. Off the field chairman Paul Saunders is stepping aside after seven years and his difficulties in finding new financial support for the town's team seems horribly similar to our own struggle to get the attention of local sponsors. It's hard to see Banbury managing to shrug off their problems and with City again visiting for the final game of the season it might be more of a wake than an end of season party next April. The sympathy you naturally feel for the club is slightly tempered by knowing it will at least get rid of their goons who came out in force when we last visited.
Bath City I really used to feel an empathy for Bath City until their fans decided to offer support for that brat Sam Bailey after he attacked Lee Smith last season. At least with neither protagonist present the matches against Bath shouldn't be overly firey, but they will provide one of our toughest opponents next season. The departure of manager Gary Owers to Forest Green in May could easily have derailed the Twerton Park outfit but most of the existing key players had already agreed to stay even before John Relish was appointed as the new boss. The former Merthyr boss knows this league pretty well and the fact he's agreed to go there suggests the playing budget is healthy as he cried off from the Martyrs job for lack of cash. His new charges finshed the previous season strongly with six wins from their last eight games taking them to the verge of the play-offs; this season they should at least make that crucial top five. Most of last season's key players remain including keeper Paul Evans, defenders Chris Holland, Graeme Power and Steve Jones, and player of the year Jim Rollo. Pre-season has suggested a lack of goals after 'flying postman' John Williams left for Redditch, but his departure still leaves Martin Paul and Scott Partridge to score the goals and providing both can steer clear of the injuries that blighted last season they will find the net regularly. One new signing will be familiar to City fans as our former favourite Jon Holloway heads back to Bath after a spell at Merthyr. Their other new addition is highly rated midfielder Andy Sandell who joins from Paulton Rovers despite being trailed by Mangotsfield and Chippenham. If Relish can blend the old with the new Bath should challenge for the title, but will need to show more bottle and composure than last season to win the main prize.
Bedford Town There's been little news from the Eagles over the close season, but given their performance last season that will actually be good news for Bedford boss Nicky Platnauer. His side were quietly fancied by many last season and they certainly kept their challenge going right until the end and held on for a play-off place. They would be content to achieve the same again and certainly have the fire power to sustain another promotion push, but will need to be a little more consistent in defence. The only significant departure is that of Steve Jackman who has moved to promoted Histon, but Bedford will be delighted to have held on to last season's top scorer Chris Dillon. They have also managed to bring back midfielder Rob Miller after he was released by Cambridge City. Bedford are one of several clubs hoping to reap the benefit of a side already familiar with each other, but Platnauer must make sure his team retain the hunger they showed last time out. Will be there of thereabouts again but many struggle to match last season's showing.
Chesham United The matches between City and Chesham last season were hugely entertaining as neither side looked even vaguely capable of defending as they shared five goals in each match. At the time of those matches Chesham looked like promotion contenders but their form slipped badly in the second half of the season and that doesn't bode well for the new campaign. Off the pitch they have fought off a winding-up order and have spent their time concentrating on survival rather than team building. The departure of tenants Southall will improve the condition of the pitch but do little to improve the club coffers. The financial situation has left boss Steve Bateman with little room for the defensive strengthening he must have hoped for. However, star striker John Lawford has remained loyal and after finishing SLP top scorer on 31 goals last season his presence alone should be enough to prevent Chesham sliding into serious trouble. They'll need a strong start to suggest they could manage anything more than mid-table at best.
Cheshunt One of the clubs to slide over from the Ryman and on paper potentially one of the weakest having only avoided relagation down a level thanks to the demise of boom and bust outfit Hornchurch. The fact they survived at all is down to new boss Tom Loizou who arrived mid-season to take over a struggling side with hardly any players after most of the team left with the previous manager. He managed to rally the team enough to grab some late vital wins, but while the attack improved the defensive record remains poor and a bad start to the season this time round could leave confidence fatally undermined. The club has little money to spare with low gates and a dilpaidated ground meaning the extra travelling in the SLP is particulalry unwelcome. The clubs key player is a Cypriot international midfielder, and we can all look forward to my spelling of Panayiottis Panayioutou in match reports later in the season. They have also added fromer Pompey defender Anthony Fenton who moves from Farnboorough, but must cope with the daprture of striker Darrell Cox to Yeading. His goals have been vital to Cheshunt, scoring well over 100 in seven seasons. Last season's strike partner Ricci Crace has also left for Wimbledon, and with most new arrivals unproven Cheshunt will need to surprise to avoid a relegation scrap.
Chippenham Town Chippenham and Steve White did little to endear themselves to their SLP opponents last season with their 'robust' (ahem) style last season and there were widespread celebrations across the Southern League as they lost out on the title to Histon and then fell aprt in the play-offs to deny themselves promotion. The entertainment continued when Steve White publicly applied for the vacant Bath City job and on being rejected (to his surprise if no-one elses) found himself out on his ear at Hardenhuish. He has been replaced by Darren Perrin, who did a fantastic job at Paulton Rovers and seems more than able to manage on a reduced budget. White had complained about his £2,500 a week budget, much to the amusement of Chris Burns who must dream of such riches. Perrin will bring a better style of play to Chippenham and has former City favourite Adie Mings as his assistant, instantly guaranteeing a much better relationship between our two clubs. Perrin has held on to former Tigers pair brother Gary and Wayne Thorne, and has convinced forward Jamie Constable to stay as well. He is likely to be partnered up front by Josh Jeffries who moves from Paulton. Goalkeeper Steve Perrin joins from Forest Green to be managed by his brother, Iain Harvey is a proven midfield campaigner and joins from Tiverton, while highly rated young defender Ross Adams joins from Highworth Town. Perhaps the most intriguing signing is of Brazilian Gianni, who was found playing Sunday League football in Swindon having quit football after a serious knee injury forced him to leave Serie A side Sampdoria. That's a signing that could pay off in a big way - why doesn't this ever happen to us! Despite the arrival of Samba football to Wiltshire there is little doubt that Chippenham's uncompromising style helped them over achieve last season. They may find themsleves in the odd position of earning more friends this season whilst taking fewer points. Should still be on e of the stronger sides in the division though, and on the fringes of the play-offs.
Cirencester Town Cirencester are strengthening slowly year by year and are starting to gather on the horizon with the ominous presence of a Zulu army waiting to charge. Despite their protestations to the contrary there has to be serious money propping up their progress, and if they felt City fans failed to take them seriously as rivals they certainly grabbed our attention by snatching City's player of the year Lee Smith. The bargain £4,000 transfer raid for the young player will certainly ensure hostilities are that bit more ferocious when the clubs meet this season. They suffered a blow with the departure of England schoolboy international Matt Green to Newport County, but he was one for the future rather than this season. Ciren already had plenty of firepower but will hope the additions of Lee Smith and former Villa and Swindon forward Steve Cowe from Weston will add width and pace to their attack. At this level both players should be enough to propel the Cotswold side that bit closer to the play-offs. Whilst they are a strong side and will almost certainly manage to again finish higher than City it remains to be seen if they have what it takes to overcome better supported and more experienced sides like Tiverton and Bath in crucial games. One could be cruel and ask if they could afford to do the necessary work to their rather sparse ground to take promotion, but hopefully they won't quite need to splash out that much cash this time out.
Evesham United What an absolute delight it is to have this lot back in our division. Over recent seasons they've managed to somehow turn from being the kind of side you look forward to playing to being one of the most unpleasent teams imaginable, with spiteful players on the pitch and rude people off it. Can't wait to be ignored at the bar and then spat at in the car park again. The good news is that Evesham leave their Common Road mud heap in January with the hope of moving to their new £2 million ground for the start of 2006/7 campaign, ground sharing at Worcester in the interim. The bad news is City visit in October so still have to visit Common Road one last time. Dave Busst (he of bendy leg fame) has done a fantastic job to get Evesham up, but will know that his team will find the new division more of a struggle. They look to have enough quality to survive without too much anxiety though, retaining players like Richard Ball, Grant Pinkney and Matty Hall. Only Simeon Williams has left, departing for Rugby. Added to the squad are former Moor Green pair forward Jae Martin and defender Richie Robinson. Adam Cooper also joins Busst from his former club Solihull to strengthen the defence. Evesham are unlikely to set the league alight but should be robust enough to scrap a good few points.
Grantham Town The Gingerbreads suffered a poor start last season but the appointment of Lee Glover as their new manager has seen them steadily improve. They are now a much stronger side but are still a good way short of being genuine promotion material despite Glover having signed a new two year contract and publicly targeting the play-off places. Despite having strengthened and stabalised Grantham are still a little fragile at the back and still lack a few quality players. Some steps have been taken to sort out the problem areas. Glover has bought in some exprienced players to bolster the spine of the side. At the back Grant Brown arrives having set an appearance record in 13 years with Lincoln and he seems set to form a defensive partnership with Martin Matthews who arrives from Kettering having previously been at Northampton and King's Lynn. Another very experienced player will lead the attack after Glover pulled off something of a coup by pinching veteran forward Martin Carruthers from under the noses of King's Lynn. He should score goals at this level having chalked up 130 league goals with Stoke, Lincoln and Scunthorpe. All of this should mean visible progress at the Kesteven Stadium, but they will not have enough to challenge at the very top of the table.
Halesowen Town The Yeltz are the kind of club that really should be competing at a higher level and this season should see them iron out a few of the squad deficincies that saw last season's promotion challenge crumble in the Spring. Manager Paul Holleran inherited a slightly lop-sided squad and a reduced budget that left him little room to bring in more of his own players, over the summer he's now had a chance to make some prudent alterations and this time round the Brummies will be serious contenders. Harry Rudge deserves that kind of effort. The big problem that Halesowen had last season was a lack of goals from their forwards and the arrival of Howard Forinton from Banbury should guarantee a steady supply of goals. He managed 23 last time in a struggling Puritans team and has a good track record with Birmingham, Oxford and Yeovil amongst others. Holleran has also fought off Telford to bring in Gary Hay, a promising young forward who socred hatful of goals for Willenhall last season. The new arrivals mean Jason Ashby has been released having failed to find the net much last season. Holleran has also added players at the back with Stuart Pierrepoint a familiar face from the Sutton Coldfield defence and Steve Farmer arriving from Nuneaton. The new signings suggest a stronger and more resilient Yeltz campaign and I think they'll be pushing for the title at Easter.
Hitchin Town Hitchin faced real problems last season and were probably the only club in the division that could lay claim to similar financial restrictions to City. They just managed to squeak through and survive last time, and unfortunately this campaign looks like another sustained rearguard effort to avoid the drop. Hitchin boss Darren Salton seemed to be a little wound up when he cuffed Chris Thompson at Meadow Park last season, and this could be another tense time for him. He's had little opportunity to add much to his squad, although he'll also have been delighted to hold on to some of his better players and especially captain and key forward Josh Sozzo. Whilst few players have been added to their squad a couple of new strikers have arrived, including Thomas Hayes from Dunstable who impressed scoring a hatrick against the Canaries last season. Another crucial signing could be utility player Daniel French who moves from Aylesbury for more regular football. He'll certainly get that, but could also get some tough games this season. Whilst the forward line will score goals the defence remains very vulenerable. Ultimately Hitchin will probably survive by the skin of their teeth simply because there are other weaker sides with less experience of the scrap.
King's Lynn King's Lynn were amongst last season's favourites and their strong support at the turnstile helps them supply a budget that dwarfs most clubs in the SLP and means they will always be able to compete Dave Busst (he of bendy leg fame) has done a fantastic job to get Evesham up, but will know that his team will find the new division more of a struggle. They look to have enough quality to survive without too much anxiety though, retaining players like Richard Ball, Grant Pinkney and Matty Hall. Only Simeon Williams has left, departing for Rugby. Added to the squad are former Moor Green pair forward Jae Martin and defender Richie Robinson. Adam Cooper also joins Busst from his former club Solihull to strengthen the defence. Evesham are unlikely to set the league alight but should be robust enough to scrap a good few points.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saving
the best for last - where will we fit in all of this? It's all but impossible
to be impartial about your own side, naturally I half-expect that we
will brush all opposition aside as we rompt to the title by Christmas,
although with City that's always tempered by the slight fear that we'll
do the opposite and forget to turn up for most of the games and the
season will bring nothing but pain and gloom.