2018-19 Isthmian League Thread ("Bostik" if you must)

[Pink Panther]

IMO, they should have the super playoff, then have a playoff between the super playoff loser and the fourth from bottom team in the National North/South.

It's the National League playing power politics. They complain about not getting more promotion places to the Football League, then they want to pull up the drawbridge now there's an additional division at Step 3.

I'd just exclude 4th & 5th placed teams from the play-offs and have 2nd v 3rd between the two divisions with the two winners contesting the final. No one has won the Isthmian Premier play-off from lower than 3rd place in the last four seasons, and three of those finals were 2nd v 3rd.

 

[Paddy]

To be honest I think the Isthmian & NPL at step 3 should operate as normal & the two divisions operated by the Southern should have to play off to provide the final non-automatic spot.

Likewise at step 4 with the Isthmian for the extra division there.

 

[#Beebot]

Haringey have signed Chinedu McKenzie (was at Maidenhead last season but loaned out all over including Haringey), Jon Nouble (was at Thurrock last season) and Femi Akinwande (was at Concord last season after his release by Colchester to replace last season's top-scorer Ralston Gabriel.

Not sure what went wrong for McKenzie here but he couldn't even make the match day squad when we had no fit strikers. Not rated by Devonshire at all.

 

[Bobbin']

Recently bought a place down in Herne Bay and will be spending a lot of weekends there so am looking at making an effort to go and watch them now and again so will be following this with interest.

I also follow Welling United's results and progress so must confess that any non-league knowledge I have ends at Conference South. How does this new league format now work? Is it only now the three winners of the feeder leagues that are promoted to the premier?

 

[rudebwoyben]

Recently bought a place down in Herne Bay and will be spending a lot of weekends there so am looking at making an effort to go and watch them now and again so will be following this with interest.

I also follow Welling United's results and progress so must confess that any non-league knowledge I have ends at Conference South. How does this new league format now work? Is it only now the three winners of the feeder leagues that are promoted to the premier?

There are now 4 leagues at step 3, not 3 as before. Somewhat confusingly, the Southern League now has two premier divisions whereas the Isthmian and the Northern Premier League have one each.
Somewhat stupidly, the football authorities have not increased the number of relegation spots from the National North and South from 3 each to 4. Therefore, the runners up of the Step 3 leagues will have to compete in a arduous set of play-offs with the consequence that a divisional play-off winner will still have to play an additional match to get promoted!

 

[Bobbin']

There are now 4 leagues at step 3, not 3 as before. Somewhat confusingly, the Southern League now has two premier divisions whereas the Isthmian and the Northern Premier League have one each.
Somewhat stupidly, the football authorities have not increased the number of relegation spots from the National North and South from 3 each to 4. Therefore, the runners up of the Step 3 leagues will have to compete in a arduous set of play-offs with the consequence that a divisional play-off winner will still have to play an additional match to get promoted!

Thanks, all very confusing.

Just realised I’m still calling it the conference, not sure I’ll be able to break that habit.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Thanks, all very confusing.

Just realised I’m still calling it the conference, not sure I’ll be able to break that habit.

To a lot of us it will always be the GM Vauxhall Conference!

 

[Pink Panther]

Recently bought a place down in Herne Bay and will be spending a lot of weekends there so am looking at making an effort to go and watch them now and again so will be following this with interest.

You've got a lot of other decent clubs worth visiting around that East Kent coast: Whitstable, Faversham, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Folkestone, Hythe. I'll miss those sort of trips following Dulwich now we're in the National League.

If you like real ale pubs the Butchers Arms in Herne Village is a must visit.

 

[Bobbin']

You've got a lot of other decent clubs worth visiting around that East Kent coast: Whitstable, Faversham, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Folkestone, Hythe. I'll miss those sort of trips following Dulwich now we're in the National League.

If you like real ale pubs the Butchers Arms in Herne Village is a must visit.

I have been to see Margate before but will look to try out the others if I’m ever nearby. Herne Bay is just convenient as is only a 20 minute walk.

I like all pubs so will check The Butchers Arms out when next in that part of town. If that’s your sort of thing, there is a micro pub in Welling close to the ground called The Door Hinge if you’re making the journey on opening day.

 

[Pink Panther]

I have been to see Margate before but will look to try out the others if I’m ever nearby. Herne Bay is just convenient as is only a 20 minute walk.

I like all pubs so will check The Butchers Arms out when next in that part of town. If that’s your sort of thing, there is a micro pub in Welling close to the ground called The Door Hinge if you’re making the journey on opening day.

Cheers, did the Door Hinge at a pre-season game against Erith & Belvedere a couple of years ago. I love small basic bars like that. East Kent is certainly the place for micropubs, loads of them around Thanet.

Certainly won't miss Welling on opening day. First time in 111 years we've been in a new league and it's our most local away fixture! Massive Hamlet turnout I reckon.

 

[Bobbin']

Cheers, did the Door Hinge at a pre-season game against Erith & Belvedere a couple of years ago. I love small basic bars like that. East Kent is certainly the place for micropubs, loads of them around Thanet.

Certainly won't miss Welling on opening day. First time in 111 years we've been in a new league and it's our most local away fixture! Massive Hamlet turnout I reckon.

Yeah, would expect a Dulwich takeover. I probably would have ventured down if Charlton were not on Sky that day.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yeah, would expect a Dulwich takeover. I probably would have ventured down if Charlton were not on Sky that day.

In fact Welling is probably almost as close to Dulwich as our temporary home at Mitcham: both about 7-10 miles.

Like PVR, proper old's cool ground.

 

[Bobbin']

In fact Welling is probably almost as close to Dulwich as our temporary home at Mitcham: both about 7-10 miles.

Like PVR, proper old's cool ground.

Just make sure you bring your hats and sun cream, not much shelter!

 

[Pink Panther]

Just make sure you bring your hats and sun cream, not much shelter!

Just spent a couple of days at Trent Bridge watching Surrey hammer Notts. I'm always prepared for any extremes of the British climate!

 

[Lurchin Urchin]

It's still the cricket season but maybe it's time to wish you all a Happy New Year (as it were). Have to say I too like the Whitstable/Herne Bay zone for grounds - not sure about Margate though!

Meanwhile the Chins appear to be playing in the GRAND OPENING MATCH OF THE SEASON .... TODAY. I wasn't quite sure why we were in the "Charity Shield" but all is explained on the Isthmian site at
http://www.isthmian.co.uk/isthmian-charity-shield-51726

Biller-big-boots-ricay clearly running scared.

Maybe one for the tinpot thread but it looks a bit scary on there with all those CONFERENCE (not National) boys. And girls.

 

[Luke Imp]

Doubt it, but any Heybridge fans on here (I think I'm in the correct thread!)?

Sounds like we might be taking a punt on Juan Luque from them. He's been on trial with us since the first day of pre-season.

 

[Lurchin Urchin]

Doubt it, but any Heybridge fans on here (I think I'm in the correct thread!)?

Sounds like we might be taking a punt on Juan Luque from them. He's been on trial with us since the first day of pre-season.

Yep - right both times (no HS fans but correct thread). He got booked in both matches against us and failed to hit the target. From what I remember he was very mobile but just not his day (I didn't go to the away game - but Riverside might be along later... he tends to actually watch the matches).

Bit of a petulant fella (that's the Heybridge Way), but the Cowleys like em a bit feisty.

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

Doubt it, but any Heybridge fans on here (I think I'm in the correct thread!)?

Sounds like we might be taking a punt on Juan Luque from them. He's been on trial with us since the first day of pre-season.

It's Joan Luque not Juan (he's Catalan).

He's a horrible bastard. Banned for 9 games for spitting twice at Ralston Gabriel last season (Gabriel was banned for 8 games rightly decking the little shit).

He failed to get on the scoresheet in any of the four games we played against Heybridge last season - and tbh didn't really look like one of the more dangerous Heybridge players

Hard to gauge how he'd progress from Isthmian 1 North to League 2 as there's such a gulf in standards. There are players who score 30 goals in the Isthmian North who'll never play above the Conference South, and players who might establish themselves in the football league.

 

[Pink Panther]

It's still the cricket season but maybe it's time to wish you all a Happy New Year (as it were). Have to say I too like the Whitstable/Herne Bay zone for grounds - not sure about Margate though!

Margate's ground is terrible. They never did any worthwhile ground improvements when they were spunking a fortune on players and hiring Terry Brown as manager, but it's still a great day out.

 

[Raymondo316]

Margate's ground is terrible. They never did any worthwhile ground improvements when they were spunking a fortune on players and hiring Terry Brown as manager, but it's still a great day out.

Yep, close to 3 millions quid spunked & they did nothing to improve the ground.

Old Laslett had such ''big'' plans yet abandoned the ship after just over 2 years.....this statement was one of my favourites

 

[Luke Imp]

Yep - right both times (no HS fans but correct thread). He got booked in both matches against us and failed to hit the target. From what I remember he was very mobile but just not his day (I didn't go to the away game - but Riverside might be along later... he tends to actually watch the matches).

Bit of a petulant fella (that's the Heybridge Way), but the Cowleys like em a bit feisty.

It's Joan Luque not Juan (he's Catalan).

He's a horrible bastard. Banned for 9 games for spitting twice at Ralston Gabriel last season (Gabriel was banned for 8 games rightly decking the little shit).

He failed to get on the scoresheet in any of the four games we played against Heybridge last season - and tbh didn't really look like one of the more dangerous Heybridge players

Hard to gauge how he'd progress from Isthmian 1 North to League 2 as there's such a gulf in standards. There are players who score 30 goals in the Isthmian North who'll never play above the Conference South, and players who might establish themselves in the football league.

Cheers.

He played again this afternoon against Derby U23's but still no decision made. If I'm honest, he's starting to come across as a second option. DC's obviously got his eye on someone else.

I'm assuming he's got something waiting for him at Heybridge if he doesn't get anything here.

 

[Lurchin Urchin]

The odds are here ...

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/non-league/isthmian-premier/winner

If you can't be bothered to open the link the top 5 are:

Urchins 11/2 (ridiculous - we won't be contenders by any means)
Margitt 7/1
K's 9/1
Bognor 10/1
Whitehawk 10/1

Waddayareckon? Any good value? Maybe K's?

 

[Lurchin Urchin]

Not that you can actually put a bet on yet - I just tried putting a tenner on Kingstonian (there's loyalty for you) but Betway are not taking them yet. I suspect they will adjust the odds after a coupe of games then open the market.

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

The odds are here ...

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/non-league/isthmian-premier/winner

If you can't be bothered to open the link the top 5 are:

Urchins 11/2 (ridiculous - we won't be contenders by any means)
Margitt 7/1
K's 9/1
Bognor 10/1
Whitehawk 10/1

Waddayareckon? Any good value? Maybe K's?

Given the decrease in standard of the league this season and the departure of last season's contenders, I'd consider lumping on any relegated side to bounce straight back up.

 

[Red Deserato]

Despite letting a fair few players go I reckon worthing could playoff contenders this season as only 1 of last seasons top 5 remain in the league this year

 

[Pink Panther]

Despite letting a fair few players go I reckon worthing could playoff contenders this season as only 1 of last seasons top 5 remain in the league this year

I'd say Worthing are certainly a good each way bet at 33/1. They get big support for this league, Adam Hinshelwood massively turned them around last season takingthem from rock bottom after one third of the season to top 5 form over the remainder.

Kingstonian are my favourites to finish top, they finished last season strongly and on paper their summer recruitment has been superb.

Other than Havant bouncing back two years ago with the same manager and squad plus a big budget, newly relegated sides haven't challenged for an immediate return in recent seasons.

Folkestone arguably have the best manager in the division in Neil Cugley but maybe not the financial clout. All the other bookies favourites seem to have new and unproven managers and I 'm not certain how stable some of them are off the field.

 

[Paddy]

Kingstonian are my favourites to finish top, they finished last season strongly and on paper their summer recruitment has been superb.

I hope the shit or bust attitude to fiscal responsibility actually pays off this time as we don't have a stadium to be vultured away from us when it goes tits up again.

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

The odds are here ...

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/non-league/isthmian-premier/winner

If you can't be bothered to open the link the top 5 are:

Urchins 11/2 (ridiculous - we won't be contenders by any means)
Margitt 7/1
K's 9/1
Bognor 10/1
Whitehawk 10/1

Waddayareckon? Any good value? Maybe K's?

Hornchurch benefit from geography this season - there's hardly any Isthmian Premier competition out of London from the East, so when East London/Essex-based players don't fancy commuting across the country every week, they could well end up at Hornchurch.

Can see Bishops Stortford benefiting for the same reason - and maybe a glut of upwardly-mobile local rivals giving Enfield cause to struggle.

 

[Paddy]

Exciting times... pre season is over, the real deal about to start this weekend!

How did everyone's meaningless summer fixtures go? K's have done a fantastic job of confusing the hell out of their fans (all 10 of us) with some fantastic summer signings but some interesting pre season results...

• Weymouth (same level)... 1-3
• Slough Town (1 level above)... 1-3
• Hastings United (1 level below)... 1-1
• South Park (1 level below)... 5-0
• Westfield (1 level below)... 0-4
• Whyteleafe (1 level below)... 3-1
• Hartley Wintney (same level)... 1-1
• Crystal Palace U23 (youth team)... 0-0

Brightlingsea Regent first up for us in our new surroundings of King George's Field this Saturday. We need to hit the ground running with 3 points on the board so questions about our spending aren't raised.

 

[Luke Imp]

Luque to us seems to be happening today.