LONDON LIONS | MAX STRENGTH

History is made and Max Davis is honoured to be part of it

What a season 2024/25 proved to be for London Lions as they secured Step 4 status for the first-ever time following play-off success in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

A fourth-place finish saw them involved in the play-offs where Cockfosters were beaten on penalties in the semi-final before another dramatic penalty shoot-out, this time against Wormley Rovers, earned them a place in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central for the campaign ahead.

At the very heart of their success was front-runner, Max Davis, whose electrifying displays earned him the Manager’s Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards to go alongside his Golden Boot.

“It was a season that will live long in the memory of everyone who was involved,” Davis told us. “To finish it off by securing promotion at home in front of friends, family, former players and all of the club’s youth teams was extremely special.

“We made history and that is something that can’t be taken away from us. We want this to be the start of the journey and carry on this momentum as a club and as a community. We can’t wait to face the challenge that Step 4 will present to us.

“From a personal point of view it was a good season but I know that I will need to be even more ruthless in front of goal during the campaign that lies ahead.

“After a great start to last season, we went through a bit of a tough spell around Christmas time where injuries and a loss of form affected us. But we managed to pull together and show plenty of resilience to get back on track and make the play-offs.

“We’ll need to combine these battling qualities with the ability that we showed at the start of the season if we are to make an impact at this level.

“We know it will be tough and a big step up. We’ll be up against more experienced players who are sharper and more clinical at both ends of the pitch. We’ll also be playing in front of bigger crowds against opponents who are established at this level, but we’re excited to be part of it.

“Our management team have been together for a long time and many of us have played alongside each other for years, so we deserve this opportunity to step up together and we’ll be embracing everything that comes our way.

“We know that we have quality here and this is a chance to showcase it against new opponents. We’ll have to earn the right to show what we can do in every game and fight hard for every point. Our goal is to establish ourselves and not just be here to make up the numbers.

“We’re a strong team at home and when things click, we’re capable of playing some attractive football. Hopefully we can show this at Step 4.”

So, how would Davis describe himself as a player?

“I’m direct and like to run at players,” he added. “I enjoy scoring and creating goals; I like to take risks and take responsibility to make things happen.

“I was disappointed with my end product in some games last season and I have been working hard to sharpen this up because I know that you have to be ruthless at this level and take the chances that come your way.

“Hopefully the work I have been doing over the summer will pay off – only time will tell!”

We welcome London Lions FC into the Southern League.

IMAGE: London Lions FC