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

[Lurchin Urchin]

As Paddy is clearly waiting for someone else to perform his God-given role, I'll put you out of your misery and start the thread. We can't be doing with the Southern League boys+girls stealing a march (whatever that means) on us. And we certainly can't wait for Paddy's hospital pass to Riverside - who has never been known for his promptness. You should see his twitter updates - sometimes up to 15 seconds after a goal has been scored.

Anyway. WELCOME TO THE ISTHMIAN LEAGUE THREAD FOR 2018-19.

What to expect? Dunno. We ('ornchurch) have not been here for years, Riccay and Dulwich - the two bigguns - have left, and Kingstonian have found some cash behind a sofa. Personally I'm looking forward to renewing a few acquaintances and going on the p!ss in Lewes and Brighton (ok, the Whitehawk Estate but I'm sure there are buses to the centre).

If you support one of the following, do come along and give an opinion or two. And if you are just a non league saddo, likewise, come along and give an opinion or three but with some random statistics or anecdotes attached. With luck the next bit will include links to wikipedia for each club - but I've never been very good with computers so who nose?

Here's to a great season. And Up The Urchins. (Or "right" up the Urchins, depending on your predilection).

Premier Division

• AFC Hornchurch
• Bishop's Stortford
• Bognor Regis Town
• Brightlingsea Regent
• Burgess Hill Town
• Carshalton Athletic
• Corinthian-Casuals
• Dorking Wanderers
• Enfield Town
• Folkestone Invicta
• Haringey Borough
• Harlow Town
• Kingstonian
• Leatherhead
• Lewes
• Margate
• Merstham
• Potters Bar Town
• Tonbridge Angels
• Whitehawk
• Wingate & Finchley
• Worthing

North Division

• AFC Sudbury
• Aveley
• Barking
• Basildon United
• Bowers & Pitsea
• Brentwood Town
• Bury Town
• Canvey Island
• Coggeshall Town
• Dereham Town
• Felixstowe & Walton United
• Grays Athletic
• Great Wakering Rovers
• Heybridge Swifts
• Maldon & Tiptree
• Mildenhall Town
• Romford
• Soham Town Rangers
• Tilbury
• Witham Town

South Central Division

• Ashford Town (Middx)
• Bedfont Sports
• Bracknell Town
• Chalfont St Peter
• Cheshunt
• Chipstead
• Egham Town
• Fleet Town
• Hanwell Town
• Hayes & Yeading United
• Hertford Town
• Marlow
• Molesey
• Northwood
• South Park
• Tooting & Mitcham United
• Uxbridge
• Waltham Abbey
• Ware
• Westfield

South East Division

• Ashford United
• Cray Wanderers
• East Grinstead Town
• Faversham Town
• Greenwich Borough
• Guernsey
• Hastings United
• Haywards Heath Town
• Herne Bay
• Horsham
• Hythe Town
• Phoenix Sports
• Ramsgate
• Sevenoaks Town
• Sittingbourne
• Thamesmead Town
• Three Bridges
• VCD Athletic
• Whitstable Town
• Whyteleafe

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Going to savour these delightful moments of pre-season anticipation before everything goes horribly awry (so probably sometime around the end of August :/)

Though with no Billericays in sight, and Dulwich having finally escaped, it should, in theory, be an interesting campaign.

 

[E10rifle]

I’m intending on getting my first ST at AFC Sudbury this season. Been down for the odd game since I moved up here but can’t say I know much about the side after last season’s upheaval.

 

[Meadow]

Being a non-league nerd, I thought I was up to speed on the new leagues introduced. I knew about the midland one but missed the extra one in the Ryman Isthmian/Bostik a level lower.

 

[Paddy]

Thank whatever deity you subscribe too for Lurchin's intervention... I was being stubborn & waiting for someone else to start it off this season! Gets a bit depressing having an annual duty that reminds you you're going nowhere!

So another year, another Isthmian. K's are certainly putting their money where their mouths are having already made a number of Summer acquisitions that look like they are on a pretty penny or two:

• Elliott Buchanan, striker, from Staines Aiiiii

• Leo Chambers, defender, from Tamplin FC

• Jay Gasson, defender, from the filth

• Louie Theophanous, striker, from Tamplin FC

• Reece William-Bowers, midfielder, from last years' landlords

As you can see, with Tamplin FC being promoted we have not only stepped up to take the annual Isthmian shit-or-bust mantle but we are recycling their squad in the process... although I doubt we're going to land Pennant or O'Hara.

I'd also like to go on record my enjoyment of seeing Not Police unceremoniously drop kicked out to the Southern League. Less so Staines, Hendon, Harrow & Walton Casuals but someone had to be shifted & contrary to rumours it wasn't us.

Finally... my predictions for the forthcoming fun times is we won't be the glue sniffing champions. We will be more Margate than Billericay up until the play offs, where we will be more pre 2018 Dulwich.

 

[Red Deserato]

A positive start to things in the transfer market as 2 players have arrived already:

• James Crane, defender from Bognor Regis

• Will Miles, defender from Burgess Hill

As well as this 11 players have committed to another year at the club, one of these players being top scorer Kieran Pamment.

Not bad start and may it continue!

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

If ever there was a season to go for it, it's probably this one - with seven of last season's top-half promoted or shifted sideways and one of the relegated sides seemingly in freefall.

 

[Red Deserato]

If ever there was a season to go for it, it's probably this one - with seven of last season's top-half promoted or shifted sideways and one of the relegated sides seemingly in freefall.

This season's gonna be a good one

 

[Bendubz]

If ever there was a season to go for it, it's probably this one - with seven of last season's top-half promoted or shifted sideways and one of the relegated sides seemingly in freefall.

Indeed, Folkestone must be licking their lips with no 'Ricay, Dulwich or Hendon, and Margate losing their manager (Watt is back at the Gallagher as Assistant Manager now).

 

[Pink Panther]

Indeed, Folkestone must be licking their lips with no 'Ricay, Dulwich or Hendon, and Margate losing their manager (Watt is back at the Gallagher as Assistant Manager now).

And Leatherhead have lost their manager too. I'd have expected them and Margate to be top 5 candidates. I'm not sure whether Bognor or Whitehawk will be in good enough shape to bounce back; I believe they're both looking for new managers too. Worthing had a strong second half of the season after a terrible start and are well supported. If they continue to improve they should be contenders. Of course there's still a lot of transfer business to be done, but Kingstonian seem to have got a head start over the rest on that front and look like being strong.

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

Hornchurch gonna be contenders to go straight through the division, I think. They were a very effective side last season and i think they have some money behind them?

 

[doveranddover]

Margate have money problems again don't they?

 

[Lurchin Urchin]

Hornchurch gonna be contenders to go straight through the division, I think. They were a very effective side last season and i think they have some money behind them?

Can't see it myself though of course that would be very nice. I'll take mid-table consolidation which is not something we are very experienced at... here's our last 7 seasons (courtesy of Riverside64 elsewhere on the web):

2011/12 - promoted from ILP via playoffs
2012/13 - relegated from Conference South
2013/14 - lost in ILP play-off final
2014/15 - relegated from ILP
2015/16 - lost in ILN play-off final
2016/17 - lost in ILN play-off semi-final
2017/18 - promoted from ILN as champions

As for money - we have sufficient backing I believe to be comfortable but no more than that, and would need to strengthen considerably to have a tilt at the Prem. I can't see this happening as we have been burnt before by unfettered ambition. To put it mildly. And anyway, Kingstonian have already signed everybody!

Nice to see some new posters on here by the way.

 

[Riverside64]

Hornchurch gonna be contenders to go straight through the division, I think. They were a very effective side last season and i think they have some money behind them?

I think we're good enough not to be involved in a relegation fight but we don't have anywhere near the resources to challenge at the top end. We're in the process of tying up our back 5 who were awesome last season. Couple done but we've already lost goalkeeper Sam Mott to Ashford United who finished 21st in the Bostik South so clearly we weren't able to compete with them financially.

 

[Pink Panther]

Hornchurch gonna be contenders to go straight through the division, I think. They were a very effective side last season and i think they have some money behind them?

No newly promoted side has finished higher than 10th in this division in the last four seasons. A lot of clubs have come up with 100+ points and really struggled, and several have gone back down including Tooting this year. Of course the quality has been diluted by the formation of a fourth division at Step 3 with some poor teams avoiding the drop and 16 extra clubs across the country being promoted to make up the numbers.

Margate have money problems again don't they?

Again? It's only a year ago they were trumpeting the arrival of new "investors". Don't these people ever learn.

I was told their wage bill was the second highest in the league and the squad they had really should have achieved a top 3 finish. I thought they were too defensive and relied too much on set pieces and Jordan Chiedozie for goals.

Today's announcement of new joint managers sounds rather uninspiring.

 

[Silver Stone]

I guess their half team of ex Stones didn’t come cheap... or work out. I’d still probably have Mills back.

 

[Red Deserato]

Over the last few days, the departures of Harvey Sparks, Ben Pope, and Zack Newton have been confirmed. shame to lose such players and this leaves us a bit lacking in attack with the only Kieron Pamment the only established striker left. Will need to amend that soon

 

[Paddy]

Muhammadu Faal becomes signing number 6 of the summer.

I know I kid about it, but it's a bit unsettling when the official league website starts calling you the next Billericay!

http://www.isthmian.co.uk/ks-look-to-be-next-seasons-billericay-50949

 

[Pink Panther]

Muhammadu Faal becomes signing number 6 of the summer.

I know I kid about it, but it's a bit unsettling when the official league website starts calling you the next Billericay!

http://www.isthmian.co.uk/ks-look-to-be-next-seasons-billericay-50949

Has the owner started meddling in team affairs yet?

I'm disappointed to lose Faal, he's very raw but has a bit of something about him and is definitely a prospect. He's reminiscent of Panutche Camara, who broke into the Hamlet side towards the end of last season and was signed by Crawley Town last Summer.

 

[#Beebot]

Hornchurch have signed Sean Marks. Good signing for this level.

 

[Pink Panther]

Hornchurch have signed Sean Marks. Good signing for this level.

Where's he from?

Dulwich Hamlet have announced the departures of centre back Marc Weatherstone and midfielder Kenny Beaney, two senior players aged 30/31 who played a big part in getting us into National South over the past two seasons. Both cited extra travelling as a reason for leaving the Hamlet so that's a couple of very influential players for someone to pick up for next season.

 

[#Beebot]

Where's he from?

Dulwich Hamlet have announced the departures of centre back Marc Weatherstone and midfielder Kenny Beaney, two senior players aged 30/31 who played a big part in getting us into National South over the past two seasons. Both cited extra travelling as a reason for leaving the Hamlet so that's a couple of very influential players for someone to pick up for next season.

He was with Maidenhead last season. Old fashioned target man who's a little too basic for the NL, but was vital in our NL South winning season and should do very well in the Isthmian.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Ks have made another addition to the squad, having re-signed former K Aaron 'Norman' Lamont from Truro.

 

[Riverside64]

Signed Callum Chafer as replacement 'keeper for Sam Mott. Was part of the Hornchurch youth system and has played a huge part in Bowers & Pitsea's success in the last couple of seasons. Top goalkeeper so very pleased.

Also, Tobi Coker, part of Barnet's youth academy has joined our merry band. Good signing too.

Plus, a further 7 have committed to next season so the back 5 are done plus key forwards. Squad shaping up nicely.

 

[#Beebot]

Signed Callum Chafer as replacement 'keeper for Sam Mott. Was part of the Hornchurch youth system and has played a huge part in Bowers & Pitsea's success in the last couple of seasons. Top goalkeeper so very pleased.

Also, Tobi Coker, part of Barnet's youth academy has joined our merry band. Good signing too.

Plus, a further 7 have committed to next season so the back 5 are done plus key forwards. Squad shaping up nicely.

Wasn't Coker on loan with you a couple of years back?

I heard good things about him from those who watch U18/U23 games but his only senior game for us was as a late sub in a Checkatrade group stage dead rubber.

 

[Riverside64]

Wasn't Coker on loan with you a couple of years back?

Yes he was (Jan-Feb 2017) where he played 7 games. Scored a great goal vs Dulwich in the Isthmian Cup ..

Looks a bit stockier now and more of a presence in the midfield.

 

[Paddy]

Tommy Brewer from Staines Town is the latest signing at Kingsmeadow Fetcham Grove King George's Field.

http://www.kingstonian.com/news/tommy-brewer-signs-for-kingstonian-2311231.html

Can not wait for August!

 

[Red Deserato]

Worthing for the title?!

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Tommy Brewer from Staines Town is the latest signing at Kingsmeadow Fetcham Grove King George's Field.

http://www.kingstonian.com/news/tommy-brewer-signs-for-kingstonian-2311231.html

Can not wait for August!

I'll drink to that!!

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

We've moved our midweek fixtures from Monday to Wednesday. I think this is probably a highly unpopular move, from what I can gather from the Ks forum, but I honestly think it's a pretty good idea.

I think it makes sense from the POV of having extra time for recovery. Sure, any team who plays us on a Monday will have the same issue in this regard, but cumulatively if we're playing far more games on that day than our rivals, that's probably only going to have an adverse effect, isn't it? I seem to be in the minority among Ks (and quite frankly, I'm not a very good supporter, so what do I know!) but Monday doesn't really appeal to me as a match night. Would defo be more inclined to go midweek.