Here is a very rough guide to the teams we will be facing in the coming Ryman League Premier Division 2005/06 Season. The website links I have given are not the only ones for the clubs, but just a good first point of contact on the net. There are lots of new faces for us to meet and a few old foes as well, it should be an interesting season...
AFC Wimbledon – Definitely favourites to repeat last seasons promotion as Champions. They have the support, the infrastructure and they have added to the squad. They play at Kingsmeadow Stadium in Norbiton and regularly get over 3000 watching them. Like ‘em or loathe ‘em they will be the best side in the league this season and their rise looks set to continue. http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/
Billericay Town FC - One of the many Essex teams we will come up against this season they will also be up in the promotion chasing pack. Former Spurs player Justin Edinburgh is their Manager. Their New Lodge ground is about 20 mins walk from the station and when we last went there (January 1999) it was made up of lots of random small stands scattered around the ground. http://www.billericaytownfc.co.uk/
Braintree Town FC – Once again we make acquaintance with our old friend George Borg who is currently employed by the Essex side. The ground isn’t too far from the station, although you have to walk through a shopping centre that looks like the set of the Prisoner! The Iron are also fancied to be making a bid for the Conference South. http://www.braintreetfc.co.uk/
Chelmsford City FC - The Clarets are hoping to be moving to Melbourne Park Athletics Arena back in the City of Chelmsford during the season. They currently ground share at Billericay after losing their old ground, which was next to the County Cricket Club a while back. A lack of funds due to the move may mean they will be looking at mid table this season. http://www.chelmsfordcityfc.com/
East Thurrock United FC – A new one for Bromley fans, The Rocks won automatic promotion from the Southern Eastern Division last season. They have a strong side, led up front by former Wimbledon striker Vinnie John. Their ground is two miles from Basildon Station. http://www.eastthurrockunited.com/
Fisher Athletic FC – The Fish won the Southern League Eastern Division last season and have probably the second strongest squad behind AFC Dons. They are in their second year of ground sharing with Dulwich Hamlet, so we should all know how to get there! Last year we knocked them out of the FA Cup after a replay, but make no mistake they will be pushing The Dons all the way for promotion this season boosted by a massive budget, but strangely very few fans. http://www.fisherathletic.co.uk/
Folkestone Invicta FC – Last time we played Invicta they thrashed us at Hayes Lane in the Kent Senior Cup. In their second Ryman Premier season they will be hoping for a better finish than last time round. The ground is a short walk from West Folkestone, but a very long walk from the sea front. http://www.folkestoneinvicta.co.uk/
Hampton & Richmond Borough FC – The Beavers made it up in the top six two seasons ago and finished seventh last time round. Their ground is quite near Hampton station, situated in very posh part of London Suburbia they don’t get very large crowds, but it is a nice place to visit. http://www.hamptonfc.co.uk/index.php
Harrow Borough FC - It doesn’t matter how many times I go to this place I always get lost walking from South Harrow tube station! Last time we went over there we lost 2-0 in the Bryco Cup on a typically cold Tuesday night. The far end of the ground always seems to be freezing even in the Spring, but the food is always very good! Finished 16th last season. http://www.harrowboro.com/
Hendon FC – The Dons have played in the top division of the Isthmian League since joining it, I believe over 50 years ago! They are still based at Claremont Road, but are set to move to Barnet Copthall Athletics Stadium some time during the season. We have only won at Claremont three times in 50+ years, so maybe we’ll have better luck at their new home. The Greens turned down promotion to the Conference South when it was formed due to financial problems. The current ground is a short walk from Brent Cross Tube, although the underpass does get flooded in wet weather! http://www.hendonfc.net/
Heybridge Swifts FC - 7 miles from Witham Station is what you need to know about this place! Although there are usually cabs available to get you there and back for the last train even on a Tuesday. They have got a new manager for this coming season and have made some good signings. http://www.heybridgeswifts.com/
Leyton FC – After splitting up with Wingate a few years ago and them splitting into two clubs Leyton started back in the Essex Senior League and have powered their way up the pyramid. They still use the old ground in Lea Bridge Road behind the Hare and Hounds Pub. It’s probably best to describe the ground as unique! They were up in the promotion hunt all last season and are expected to be again this time round with former Cheshunt Manager Tony Choules in charge. http://www.leytonfc.co.uk/
Maldon Town FC - I can’t honestly say I know a lot about ‘The Town’ apart from the fact that they won promotion via the play offs from Southern League Eastern Div, after recent promotion from the Essex Senior League. The ground is 10miles from Witham station! http://www.maldontownfootballclub.co.uk/
Margate FC – All being well The Gate will be back at Hartsdown Park this season after a difficult spell in the clubs history sharing with Dover & Ashford. They took voluntary relegation from the Conference due to the ground problems and then were relegated by right from Conference South last season. Most of their fans will just be pleased to have their team back in the home town and playing football. The ground is near the station and sea front. Former Raven Moses Jjunju played for them. http://www.margate-fc.com/
Redbridge FC - The artist formerly known as Ford United FC are now named after the local Borough and playing at Barkingside FC. The ground is next door to Barkingside tube station. They lost a lot of players last season, our very own Allain McLeod being one of them and were relegated. Not sure how they will shape up this season as they are not as flushed as they once were. http://www.redbridgefc.com/
Slough Town FC – The Rebels did well after getting promoted, consolidating and having a good FA Cup run. They are still ground sharing with Windsor & Eton, so we get to go there twice again! It’s a definite cab ride from Windsor Riverside station. http://www.sloughtownfc.net/news/index.php
Staines Town FC – The Swans have thrived since moving back to their redeveloped Wheatsheaf Park and have a very strong playing squad. The ground is a fair trek from the station. The bar looks like it’s aiming for a different cliental to non-league football fans and is a bit of a culture shock to most visitors.
Walton & Hersham FC – – Another team called The Swans. Walton won automatic promotion from Ryman Div One last season, although we did do the double over them. They are a very strong physical side and will be hoping to establish themselves as a premier side. The ground is an easy walk from Walton upon Thames station through some of the most expensive housing in suburban London. http://www.waltonandhershamfc.org.uk/
Wealdstone FC – Twenty years on from their Conference & FA trophy double The Stones are playing at Northwood FC this season. One of many grounds they have used since moving out of Lower Mead in the early 90’s. A move back to the local area at Prince Edward Playing Fields has been delayed by at least another year. They just stayed up last time round and with a new manager in charge hope for better this time. Their current ‘home’ is quite near Northwood Hills Tube situated in a park with a cemetery behind one goal! The Stones still have a good support and will make a bit of noise, they were one of the few sets of fans pleased that we won the playoff final. http://www.wealdstonefc.com/
Windsor & Eton FC – The Royalists made it up two seasons ago in the top six and had a lower mid table finish last time. Their Stag Meadow home is on the outskirts of the town in the corner of the Royal Park. Games between us tend to be very tight and it’s not an easy place to go to. They have a small but very enthusiastic support. http://www.wefc.co.uk/
Worthing FC – Another side that made it up from Ryman One two season back and The Rebels have established themselves back in the Premier Division. They have one of the better grounds in the league. With a decent stand, terracing and a good number of fans there is a genuine football feel about the place. It’s very near the station and not too far from the sea front. Always a strong attacking team they were one of the best sides we’d played back in 2003/04. http://www.worthingfc.com/
-- Col (July 2005)