Looking back as we look forward

[Guest]

<img src="graemlins/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0" alt="[rolleyes]" /> Assuming that we will say goodbye sooon to either Canvey or Gravesend - what do the rest of us think of our teams perfomances this season and how we may do next year?<p>Either of the two teasm above would I think be favourites for next year.<p>My reflections on this season are:<p>Aldershot yet again let down their supporters - at least Borg was kicked into touch.

Kingstonian is a lesson to all of us when faced with relegation from the dizzy heights of the Conference - favs to go straight back up - what the eck happened there.

Of the three promoted clubs good things were expected of Bedford - but without a doubt it was Braintree that surprised the bookies.

GNFC (with the exception no doubt of their own supporters who will not agree) are def the surprise package of the season

Billericay started well and then completely fell apart.

St Albans seemed to unfortunately put up a championship fight off the pitch but drained all resources for the real purpose - football

Next season will be hard for us - we have no new surprises - although we could go spending mad over the close season, but I'm not holding my breath - I think our boys acquitted themnselves rather nicely in this first season

My surpise tip for next season? - Bedford giving either Canv/GNFC a run for their money. <img src="graemlins/coolsmoke.gif" border="0" alt="" />

[Cressing Toad]

Irony, whenever have Iron gone on a buying spree? you are right to not be holding your breath. Braintree are not a "flash" club but our development on and off the field has been steady and inexorable. From what I can make out from our performances this season is that a good team spirit as well as an ability to turn a dodgy one pointer into a nice fat three has been the making of us in this our first season at this level. I reckon we'll have a top half of the table position next term, but if we can recruit perhaps 3 clever players - a tilt at the promotion spot is possible. With our ground in the process of further development a conference grading should be a lay down mezzaire (look at Park lane.

Really forecasting is a lottery with so many variables as you correctly pointed out this season K's were everyones favs for a quick return, many observers saw G&NFC as mid table quality. But then everyone knew canvey would be thereabouts.

[Guest]

I suppose I should be more loyal but I fear that if Gravesend dont go up this year we will not automaticly have the same succes next year, where as Canvey will just spend MORE money and buy there way up. It's easy to assume that the favourites like Aldershot will be pushing again but I fancy Purfleet to do well and also Grays.

Chesham are a good side but inconsistant.<p>Sooooo if we are the lucky ones this year I'll go for<p>1st Canvey

2nd Purfleet

3rd Grays

[Simon BTFC]

I agree with Ringo in that if Gravesend don't go up this season, they wouldn't necessarily be favourites next time. <p>This Season:

Aldershot, Purfleet, Chesham, Billericay all now well established in top 10 over a number of seasons, but will be looking for ways to improve into title challengers. <p>Grays and Braintree will be looking to join this group otherwise could be like Basingstoke or Heybridge and have 1 good season then struggle in bottom half. Will need to improve crowds otherwise could struggle financially (also true for Chesham).<p>Hitchin, Sutton, Kingstonian, Basingstoke will have hoped to do better than mid table esp Sutton and K's.<p>So Next Season: Will be a lot more competetive with 4 down, also possibility of playing for places in new non-league structure.

[Matt H]

Ok, here's my top 5 for next season. Surprise to most I'm sure...<p>1st Canvey Island (with a difference

2nd Aldershot

3rd Purfleet

4th Hayes (if they are the ones that come down)

5th Grays<p>Other clubs that will most probably be in the top ten: Braintree, Bedford, Kingstonian, Aylesbury (if they come up) & 'Ricay. Not nesecarily in that order though.)<p>Surprises of the season will be Hampton & Richmond & Bishop's Stortford (if they too are promoted.)<p>The four that go down will be: Harrow, Ford Utd (straight up, straight down!), Heybridge & Hitchin (just!).<p>Disappointment of the season will be Sutton Utd. (Start well but fade away).<p>Matt CIFC <img src="graemlins/icon26.gif" border="0" alt="[icon26]" />

[The Doctor]

Canvey supporters up to their mind games again? they do it on our board all the time well i think i could agree with the statement anyway, hopefully it will come true because that means G+NFC go up this year.

[Windy]

Irony, How nice it would be if your surprise tip turns out to be true.<p>Sadly I think it's unlikely. I can't see us putting much effort or money into events on the pitch until we upgrade the ground a bit. There's ambitious plans in place to do so but I'm not sure if any mug has been found to pay for it yet.<p>Mid-table obscurity is a more realistic hope.

[Guest]

<img src="graemlins/coolsmoke.gif" border="0" alt="" /> Yer BEagle you're probably right -put it down to the jet lag and other extenuating circumstances! Remember if they ever try to legalise the waccy I'm a good case in point why thats not a good idea - it obviously renders intelligence useless <img src="graemlins/depressed.gif" border="0" alt="" />