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 | Stuart Haigh
CLUB | Sholing – Pitching In Southern League Premier South
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR CLUB AND HOW DID YOUR SUPPORT FIRST BEGIN? | I have followed the club for about four seasons now. During Covid, when non-League was allowed to start playing again, I went to a match with my son as I was falling out of love with the professional side of the sport and was instantly hooked. I don’t live far away and had wanted to go before I actually did. After that first visit, I went to a few more games, then got a season ticket and now volunteer on the turnstiles for home games. I have made so many friends through the club and go home and away and my son takes the drum everywhere!
HOW MANY OF THIS SEASON’S GAMES WERE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND? | I went to 20 home League games, only missing one, and 15 away League games as well as a number, both home and away, in the various Cup competitions.
WHICH OF YOUR TEAM’S PLAYERS HAVE MOST STOOD OUT FOR YOU OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON AND WHY? | The whole squad has had to adapt to a higher level of football and has done really well. Unfortunately, for the first time since I’ve supported Sholing we’ve not had a consistent settled squad and have had a number of younger loan players who have all adapted and grown with the club. Karlos Gregory, a central midfielder, was absolutely fantastic for us as the season progressed but as he is owned by AFC Bournemouth and they wanted him back for selected academy games meant that sadly he was less available for us. My Player of the Season and the Supporters Player of the Season was Owen Roundell. A versatile player who has played for Sholing for a number of seasons, he can play anywhere across the back and was often played out of position but never complained and barely missed a game. I have watched him progress and get better every season.
WHICH GAME MOST STANDS OUT FROM THIS SEASON AND WHY? | There were a number of highlights. Our first home game at this level (Step 3) in the Southern League Premier South, against Hayes & Yeading United, was memorable as we won 1-0. We’ve also had some good wins on the road and beating Swindon Supermarine at home in our last home game to virtually guarantee our survival was special, but undoubtedly the highlight for me was winning 3-1 away at our rivals AFC Totton in the Southampton derby. There is no better feeling than beating your local rivals on their own patch, especially with their far superior resources, but every Sholing player on that pitch, on that cold Saturday in January was superb each scoring at least an 8.5!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE AWAY GROUND TO VISIT AND WHY? | I love going to non-League grounds full stop. You get a rawness and honesty that is unmatched; you meet some absolutely amazing people. It would be a shame to not mention Bracknell Town (set-up was superb) and Hungerford Town (best food in the League, in my opinion, and was cheap). My favourite, though, had to be Swindon Supermarine, which had everything, great set-up and the level of hospitality we received there was absolutely superb.
HOW DID THE SEASON COMPARE TO YOUR HOPES DURING THE SUMMER? | Where to begin! Staying up had to be our goal at the beginning of the season in our first at Step 3. As we got to Christmas, that looked very achievable with a comfortable mid-table position on the cards. However, winter took its toll on finances with the unbelievable and incredible amount of games called off, we were forced to unload some fan favourites in favour of cheaper loan options. Form took a tumble and we were soon embroiled in a relegation battle, the ‘six-pointers’ came and went and somehow by the skin of our teeth we survived and achieved our goal of a second season at this level. We all look forward to seeing the big improvements lined up at the club during the summer both on and off the pitch.
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