2012/13 Season Review

First seasons are rarely easy. Especially in the lower leagues. Things are even harder when the club only came into existence a month before the first league game. That is the challenge we faced. If you read the Dial Square – Introduction and Team Guide, you’ll know how the club came into being and the composition of the players, staff and facilities. For this season I felt it best to keep it simple tactically with a 4-5-1/4-3-3, though as we had some talent in the squad I played a more open and expansive game than I usually would at this level.

As a new club, we won’t be eligible to play in the FA Cup for three seasons.

Blue Square South (stats)

I knew promotion was my goal, but I never expected to achieve it so emphatically! Our goal difference was better than all four playoff clubs combined, and we had a clear twenty-two point gap from the rest of the pack!

FA Trophy (stats)

With our league form, I was confident in beating anyone from the Blue Square leagues. And that confidence was well placed, as we waltzed to the final, including a 7-2 aggregate battering of BSP side Forest Green in the semi.

My Player of the Season

Benik Afobe was a goal machine this season, despite his low composure. If we can keep a hold of him, and improve that composure, I feel he will be a key player for a good few years. Connor Henderson and Serge Gnabry are worthy of a mention, as they were also key in both our league and cup runs.

Transfers

None in, and the two let go were poor regens who were in the reserves on far more pay than their attributes deserved.

Youth Intake

Terrible. Not one was good enough to even play for the u18’s, let alone ever being first-team material.

Next Season

I think this squad has enough about it to see another promotion, and reach the latter stages of the FA Trophy.