With the thrills and spills of the 2023/24 season now over, we have asked supporters from across our four divisions to share their thoughts on the campaign.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part...
NAME | Stephen Barnes (pictured), Neil Carleton, Barry Carleton
CLUB | Bristol Manor Farm – Pitching In Southern League Division One South
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR CLUB AND HOW DID YOUR SUPPORT FIRST BEGIN? | SB: Since 2018. Having moved to Bristol and trying the local professional clubs, I was craving something a little more authentic. Fate intervened, with Bristol Manor Farm being drawn against my boyhood club Slough Town in the FA Cup. The short trip from home down the Portway to take in the ‘charms’ of The Creek introduced me to a down-to-earth and community minded club. I felt welcome, and that my patronage was valued by the variant cast of characters that make up the Farmy Army, and that was that, I was hooked.
NC/BC: My father and I have been supporters for seven years, ever since we went to watch a pre-season friendly and knew most of the people watching. We were taken in by the camaraderie of our fellow supporters.
HOW MANY OF THIS SEASON’S GAMES WERE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND? | SB: 29 League games this year, home and away. Would be more but have to work some game days or because of late re-arrangement of far-flung fixtures.
NC/BC: We managed to attend all home games and were able to attend a few matches on the road too.
WHICH OF YOUR TEAM’S PLAYERS HAVE MOST STOOD OUT FOR YOU OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON AND WHY? | SB: It’s been a collective effort to be honest, everyone has contributed so much, especially in our late season run. Ollie Woodhouse has been imperious in the centre of defence, Jayden Neilsen’s talent has shone bright all season… But if pushed, Owen Brain is simply the best footballer I’ve seen in a Farm shirt. A rare talent at this level, so composed on the ball and a lethal strike. Then there’s Harry Lucas, the now dubbed ‘Prince Of the Portway’, a product of our exciting youth system who has not just made the step up to the first team, but taken it by storm. Intelligent defender and also weighs in with important goals. He’ll go far…
NC/BC: The player of the season for us has been centre back, Ollie Woodhouse, who has been an absolute colossus for us.
WHICH GAME MOST STANDS OUT FROM THIS SEASON AND WHY? | SB: Hard to look past the local derby at home v Cribbs. They had been pace-setting all year, and we were just starting to find our feet and come up on the rails, but defeat would have all but killed our play-off hopes and cemented theirs. In front of a vociferous Farmy Army, we swept them away in the first half hour with three goals, and then managed the game out well for a comprehensive victory and Bristol bragging rights. Felt like a big moment for the players, club and supporters, the culmination of a collective effort in a transitional season. Away days to Westbury, Larkhall and Bishops Cleeve also stand out for excellent all round team performances and some stellar goals.
NC/BC: For this, you can’t look anywhere other than the play-off semi-final victory away at Cribbs. What an evening that was as we went to our fierce local rivals and beat them to progress into the play-off final and end our hosts’ promotion dreams.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE AWAY GROUND TO VISIT AND WHY? | SB: Such a variety in this League, from the ‘proper’ stadiums at Wimborne, Melksham and Frome, to the more rustic surrounds of Larkhall, Paulton and Yate. I was going to say the long trip to Mousehole for what turned into an epic weekend away, but as a ground, Malvern Town’s HDANYWHERE Community Stadium is great; nestled in the rolling hills, lovely fans, good food and a proud but humble vibe. Made the 1-0 loss there a little easier to take!
NC/BC: The Lawns, home of Cribbs, as we always seem to win there!
HOW DID THE SEASON COMPARE TO YOUR HOPES DURING THE SUMMER? | Unprecedented. Having had to secure our division status in a tense play-off last year, a seismic overhaul of the playing staff, implementation of a new footballing philosophy and continuing upheaval in the club after the passing of previous chairman Geoff Selleck, a quiet, stabilising mid-table season was the aim, but, of course, the opposite happened! Our late season run of incredible form took us into the play-off final where we fell just short but this side has matured in no time into an energetic and fine footballing outfit with a growing committed fanbase. The future looks brighter than any of us imagined!
NC/BC: The season has been above our expectations as we went into it having survived relegation via the play-offs at the end of the previous campaign, so to go from that to just one game from promotion was a remarkable turnaround and hopefully we can build on this and go one better during the season ahead.
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