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 | Ronan Malt
CLUB | AFC Telford United – Pitching In Southern League Premier Central
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR CLUB AND HOW DID YOUR SUPPORT FIRST BEGIN? | I started to follow the club – initially in its former guise of Telford United FC – in the 1998-99 season. I caught the non-League football bug after serving as a ball boy with my junior football team at home games. I was then regularly first in the queue to snap up the complimentary tickets that the club offered my secondary school. I’ve been a Buck ever since, with my allegiance spanning spells spent away at university and living abroad.
HOW MANY OF THIS SEASON’S GAMES WERE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND? | As a season-ticket holder, I attended all home games and a handful of away matches.
WHICH OF YOUR TEAM’S PLAYERS HAVE MOST STOOD OUT FOR YOU OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON AND WHY? | In a season in which we contested the play-off final, there were a number of standout performers who are worthy of mention. However, the one name that instantly springs to mind is that of colossal centre-back Orrin Pendley, who proved to be an inspired signing following his summer switch from Step 2 outfit Hereford. Not only was Pendley a proverbial rock at the heart of defence, he also displayed an unerring eye for goal, contributing six to the Bucks’ tally. It’s a big boost that he has signed up again for the new season.
At the opposite end of the field, Montel Gibson led the line admirably and his healthy 15-goal haul propelled the Bucks firmly into the promotion picture, with renditions of a terrace tune boasting something about the talismanic frontman being on fire and your defence being terrified regularly heard around the grounds of the Southern League Premier Central.
Also deserving of mention in this category is Remi Walker. Released by Birmingham City, the fresh-faced pass master put the disappointment of dropping out of full-time football firmly behind him and went on to produce some influential displays in the Bucks’ engine room, showcasing sublime vision and delivering some sumptuous set pieces.
WHICH GAME MOST STANDS OUT FROM THIS SEASON AND WHY? | The ease with which Telford dispatched of early-season pacesetters Mickleover in the first leg of the play-off semi-final in front of a bumper New Bucks Head crowd in tricky conditions – following a pre-match downpour – left the home faithful in confident mood ahead of the post-season showpiece.
Another notable result was the 7-0 rout of the unfortunately now defunct Nuneaton Borough back in August on an afternoon when Kevin Wilkin’s charges swept the fancied Warwickshire visitors aside with a devastating show of attacking football.
Despite the nature of the victory being all together less eye-catching, the 2-1 triumph over Stratford in October marked somewhat of a turning point in the Bucks’ campaign. The win came on the back of a humbling FA Trophy exit at the hands of Step 4 side Quorn and ushered in a sensational 16-game unbeaten run that was snapped in a 2-0 defeat at champions-elect Needham Market in early February. Making their debuts against the Bards of Stratford were Sam Whittall and vastly experienced frontman Reece Styche, with the Gibraltar international opening his account with what proved to be the winner.
The new recruits lifted the spirits in a squad short on confidence and brought a physicality to the ranks that would serve the Bucks well in the ensuing months.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE AWAY GROUND TO VISIT AND WHY? | I enjoyed the Boxing Day trip to Halesowen’s The Grove, not least because the Bucks produced a professional showing to see off the well-supported Yeltz in a 2-0 win. Despite having seen their team soundly beaten, I found the home fans to be friendly. It is an away trip I look forward to making next season, particularly as I imagine that Halesowen will be looking to challenge for promotion under Russ Penn’s leadership.
HOW DID THE SEASON COMPARE TO YOUR HOPES DURING THE SUMMER? | Following a summer rebuild after only three members of the squad that were relegated from the National League North stayed on in TF2 (Byron Moore, the aforementioned Gibson and Jordan Piggott), I think that there was a realisation amongst the fan base that it would take the new-look team some time to gel.
This proved to be the case in a stuttering start that saw the Bucks bow out of the FA Trophy and the FA Cup at the first hurdle and suffer defeat in four of the opening eight league encounters. However, Telford’s questionable form was duly addressed by Wilkin, whose shrewd recruitment during the course of the campaign made us a force to be reckoned with. Overall, I would say that reaching the play-off final exceeded my pre-season expectations. Although the team ultimately failed to bounce back to Step 2 at the first attempt, for those of us of a Telford persuasion, this season’s play-off heartbreak will hopefully stand us in good stead for another shot at promotion next time round.
One significant change that has been widely commented on between last season and the recently concluded campaign is the improved connection between the players and the fans – no doubt aided by the on-field results. Wilkin and his coaching staff have instilled a togetherness in the team and a bond with the New Bucks Head regulars that has been absent for a number of seasons as the feel-good factor returned in a trend-bucking campaign.
Pictured we see Ronan’s nephews, William and Charlie, alongside Jordan Piggott.
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