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Well what a season and the last game at home nothing riding on it which makes a change should be a carnival atmosphere hopefully go out with a bang 3 nil,crowd 1000,bring on next season,up the Urchins

So semis are Worthing v Maidstone Chelmsford v Braintree

Maidstone 2 Aveley 1

According to the news item on the website, Ashley Smith said “This will provide additional senior football for the local community to watch whilst offering our young players a senior platform for their development.”, so it seems there's some arrangement regarding them playing our development players. We've already discussed (on one of the other threads) why sides like Chalvey Sports and Langley FC both moved out of Arbour Park, or why the Slough Town Challenge Cup is still being held at Burnham, so this is an encouraging sign. Hopefully they will stay here longer than Uxbridge or Windsor!

Wonder why they’ve moved as you’d think Windsor would be cheaper? Maybe they liked the fact they could use our better EDS players?

They were playing at Stag Meadow recently, so not too much further

Yeah not sure about this deal… and that’s a long way for them to relocate to, although it’s not like they would have big support. I’m hoping the club keep all income from this deal (rent, food and drink). But just concerned the extra pitch usage bearing in mind the pitch has maybe 2 years left, this deal will bring it about a lot quicker. But it could be good in that our EDS players have a stepping stone to senior football by being allowed to play for VW.

Good job Winston Churchill did`nt look for negatives like you. Based on what did happen, not what if, Scott and Co have done a terrific job.

This is all a bit different to the past when we used to have to find other grounds to play. Virginia Water will ground share Arbour Park next season

There could be a bumper crowd at Maidstone later Gavin Hoyte club captain for several years has announced he will be leaving at the seasons end and Maidstone have asked all supporters who can attend to do so to celebrate his achievements and leadership over the years This could be his last ever game for Maidstone

The 2019/2022 season, was shortened due to covid to 35 games giving 60 points, however with an average points per game of 1.71, and with only 42 games if extrapolated out would give 71.82 points, or with 46 games to make it comparable to this season it would extrapolate out to 78.66 So based on these numbers this season was the second best.

Agree SD. Our new owners look to be doing a great job which is looking really positive for the future.

It has to be said Ashley and Co have done amazing on the Marketing side. For fifty years the club have not been able to get Company's on the Trading Estate to really back us so really great the number now getting on board can only be positive.

It is a good point and all has to be done with relativity to the previous season imo as each team is on a different trajectory or point in their respective journey towards a goal

A play-off position next season to me would be a successful season. Of course a decent cup run would be the cherry on the cake.

Does Super Craigie keep his job though, AW? Relegation last season was understandable, but surely you were hoping for more than clinging on to 18th place by the skin of your teeth?

Personally I'm very happy with the progress since the new owners took over. The marketing of the club has been excellent and with no sky high ambitions. All this carried out with openness and in a very short space of time. Long may this all continue along with the increase in attendances. We are moving as a club slowly towards being promotion ready. I don't want us doing an Oxford City for example. Next season, I think we realistically should be looking at a play off position. Now that would be progress for me, although an FA Trophy final would be nice too!

Does all depend on a persons definition of success. All the above is excellent progression for the club at whats been a difficult time but has it really been a successful season on the playing side or a decent season? Lets put it this way if we do the same next season will it still be deemed a successful season?

Gonna say there's nothing like an optimist 😂

First time I have been to Whitehawk so it was interesting to see how they have tackled their stands/seating areas. A little rudimentary perhaps but certainly fit for purpose - something for us to bear in mind. As for the game itself, it was tricky with so many regular starters either injured (Knight, Adjei-Hersey, McKenzie), suspended (Parcell) or unavailable (Cass). The winning goal came early and was down to a misunderstanding/miscommunication between Rhys and Robbins (mine, no yours) which resulted in the Whitehawk attacker having a free volley beyond the far post which he took well. Heads didn't drop and we battled well, creating several good chances to equalise including a RBR shot which hit the bar. 1-0 down at half time and more of the same in the second, though I felt we lost our way for 10 to 15 minutes when we resorted to the long ball which didn't work. The introduction of Harvest changed the dynamic and gave us more poise in midfield, but again we didn't take the chances that came our way. The Whitehawk GK made some good saves, to be fair. Whitehawk were equally wasteful on the break, having carved out a couple of chances but failing to shoot on target. A frustrating night - we probably did enough to get a draw but unlike other recent performances, we didn't take our chances and paid the price. Which, as it turned out (thank you AW), was not heavy at all as Horsham lost. Now all to play for on Saturday!

This season has absolutely been a success both on and off the pitch and I truly believe that we should be aiming to be in the playoffs next season. Unfortunately, you could probably say the same for at least half the league so some will fall short in that respect. Some of the really positives of the season have been: - Cup performances. In both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy we have gone toe to toe with several teams from one or two levels higher in all games, even with 7-2 loss we were competitive and gave a really good account of ourselves. - League wise we have seen our biggest National League South points tally since we got promoted which is fantastic, surpassing the previous highest of 63 points. In addition, if you take the last 39 games and ignore the first 7 then extrapolate out we would have finished on 76 points which would have put us comfortably 6th. - Highest average gate of the 21st Century and highest league attendance since 1996 Woking game. Let's also not forget that we capped the Grimsby game based on supporter experience where we could have let another 1k in. - Settled squad and early contracts for some our our younger brightest talents (Ogbonna/Leon/Spasov) - 50 year lease secured on the ground. Probably for the rest of my life we will play at Arbour Park. I will let you know what happens when I'm 86

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/letters-bedford-town-fcs-short-sigtedness-leaves-a-slightly-bitter-taste/

Hope the FA rip into him based on his previous record.

Really can’t be arsed to watch it but I hope he’s feeling anger and annoyance like we did when he played his little trick on us, cheers Karma!

I’ll reserve judgement about the 24/25 season until I see what players are staying and what new ones are signing.