Season 2 Overview
Tranfers - October Onwards
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I had already assembled a good squad for the league but it was lacking depth, so throughout the season I kept adding to it. Several loan signings were made, some that were a success, some than weren't! Bismark Amofah was very dependable throughout his loan, filling in at right or left back. I am considering getting him in on loan again for the coming season. Also Yado Mambo was a beast at centre back and has already been ear-marked for a contract once his runs out at Charlton in the summer. On the other hand, Bennett and Trundle didn't have the impact I expected they would considering their experience and reputation. Bennett was brought in on a season-loan to act as first choice keeper. But two ridiculous own goals later he found himself out of the starting line up to Josh Mimms and eventually had his loan terminated. I thought that Trundle would add a new type of attacking threat with his technical ability and creativity despite his lack of athleticism and his tenure at the Camrose started well, bagging a few goals here and there. But all **** broke loose when I played him in centre-mid due to injuries and suspensions leaving me short. Despite scoring two goals and getting MOTM, he came to me in aggressive manner after the game demanding that he never got played out of position, I told him I was the manager and he'd play where I put him. Needless to say the arrogant ***** didn't like that and after missing training and refusing to meet me in my office, his loan was terminated. I was glad to hear that he will be retiring from the game come the end of the season. I also made use of signing two Croydon players to the squad once they had turned 24 and didn't require compensation, de Rijp and Van Wijngen, who turned out to be key first-teamers.
General Season Overview
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Overall I was very pleased with how the season panned out. We started strong and found ourselves leading the pack for the most part until we started accumulating games in hand, dropping down to fourth. We had a string of bad results in January / February which allowed Ebbsfleet, whom at this time were on incredible form, to gain a big lead in the league. After a 2-0 loss against arch rivals Farnborough in March, I began to tinker with tactics and found some success. Over the course of the season we didn't drop below 4th in the League, showing great consistency and finished the season well in 2nd place. I had aimed for the play-offs and achieved it, all on a mid-table budget but part of me was still disappointed not to have won the league after showing real title intentions before Christmas. Our lack of depth in the squad proved to be our downfall, with several injuries and unfit players due to the amount of cup games that we were involved in. At one point I could only field 3 subs and one of them was a goalkeeper! Added to this, the injuries seemed to occur to our key players more often than not, with Koroma, Van Hese and Rashid spending substantial periods in the physio room. I was content with our performances in the FA Trophy, reaching the quarter-final but losing to eventual winners Bath City, whom retained the trophy.
Play-Offs
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I was extremely disappointed to lose the first leg of the semi-final. We absolutely dominated the game and took the lead, but were hit on the counter with two last 15-minute goals. I had then decided that enough was enough with the tactic tinkering. Although I had managed to develop a way of playing that was aesthetically pleasing, including several high pass moves, we were vulnerable at the back to counters, conceding 2 goals a game on 4 occasions in 5 games. I reverted back to my system I had used throughout the majority of my managerial career and I was delighted to win 2-0 at The Camrose, putting us through to the final. We went in with home advantage against a strong Newport County side and emphatically beat them 3-0. I had done it. For the first time in their history, Basingstoke Town would be playing in the 5th Tier of English Football. The Camrose clubhouse was a site to behold that night, as players and fans celebrated together on the rare occasion I allowed my players to drink. I too had several pints and tequila shots and found myself half-cut signing the bar-maids *******.
FA Cup: An Underdog Story
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Not only had we been able to overachieve in the league, we also had an incredible FA Cup run. We started in a chaotic way, going 2-0 down to Met Police and scoring 4 in the last 30 minutes, showing desire and character that we carried with us throughout the ties. Its always nice to get one over on your rivals and we did so in the 3rd Qualifying round, which led onto a comfortable win against Southern Premier League side Chippenham whom failed to get a shot on target the whole game. The first round brought League 2 side Morecambe to the Camrose, whom we deservedly beat 3-1. At this time I never knew what a fortress our beloved Camrose would become.
We drew a fortunate second round tie against beatable Chester of the BSP and although dominating possession it was set pieces that grabbed up the victory, with Ross Adams bagging two headed goals. This left us licking our lips at the prospect of drawing one of the big guns, but instead had a home tie to League 1 strugglers Gillingham. A top class performance from Keeper Mimms kept them to one goal and despite missing a penalty, we managed to secure another 2-1 win through a De Rijp brace. The fourth round saw us draw Championship Barnsley at the Fortress and our cup run was surely going to be over now. We found ourselves 3-1 up after going behind, but by the 88th minute our lead had been squandered by a Bobby Hassell strike and the game looked destined for a replay. However, club captain Stuart Lake had other plans and in the 94th Minute made a darting run into the box to head in the winner. It finished 4-3, an outstanding game contested by two attacking sides, but Lake's 94th minute hat-trick winner was the epitomy of Camrose character and despite not being a first team player throughout the season he will always be perceived as a Basingstoke legend for that performance.
In eager anticipation, everybody involved in the club awaited the 5th round draw. Top half Premiership side Wigan were the next in line to pit their wits against a determination-filled Basingstoke side at the Camrose fortress. In front of a record crowd, Wigan showed their premiership quality, but a dogged defensive performance left them just 1-0 up. Yet another important headed goal from Ross Adams in the 77th minute proved enough to secure a replay at the DW Stadium. This time it was not to be as Wigan raised their and dominated in a 2-0 victory. However I am extremely proud of our cup run, becoming only the 7th non-league side to reach the 5th Round and being unbeaten at home against League 2, League 1, Championship and Premiership opposition. In addition, we have been able to reap the financial benefits, earning nearly £500k in TV money and developing a strong balance of just under £1 million come the end of the season.
Key Players
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A special mention has to go to these 5 key players, who have all contributed greatly to a successful season. Blaaspijp was an absolute rock at the back as was Adams who had a knack for scoring important goals. Despite being injured for 4 months of the season, Van Hese has to be on here as when he played he was the best performer of the team and maybe we could have won the league had he and others been injury free. Although he took a while to get going, de Rijp ended up being an influencial player in the last couple of months, scoring and assisting crucial goals in league and cup. The top scorer of the season was Omar Koroma on 16 goals, which doesn't seem that many but it was a real team effort with goals spread throughout the squad. Bobby Traynor finished as 2nd top scorer on 15 goals, but doesn't make the key players list as his form really petered out in the 2nd half of the season.
Final Thoughts
All in all a fantastic season full of great memories. Hopefully our support will continue to grow and Basingstoke become a town with a successful football club. I have just signed a new contract on £700 per week, a great wage for a part-time manager! I am going to commit to at least another season with Basingstoke, barring an offer I can't refuse, with the aim to finish solidly in the top half of the league. Secretly I am dreaming of taking Basingstoke to the football league. I will be sticking to my playing philosophy and not tinkering around too much if things don't go as well as hoped, its a way I like and a way that the players know and have bought into to. Some of them thought I was going mad when I came with new ideas to the training ground when we already had a successful, grounded strategy!
Until next time, come on the Dragons!
Kinda need something fresh after getting bored with my last few saves. I also use the same Level 9 tier database too, so awesome! Keep it up!
Cheers for the inspiration!
However, now the team have turned semi-pro, and I'm struggling to hold onto my best players who are being picked up by bigger clubs, or just being offered more than I can afford (max £20 a week), so it's quite sad to see, but also realistic in a way. Did you have this same problem with Croydon? Part of me wants to stick it out, but another part wants me to move up a few divisions.