2018/19 season review
The promotion to Vanarama National League and the league win of Vanarama North are two major milestones in our club’s history. Not many clubs with similar size as Spennymoor Town FC has ever played at this level. We were definitely punching above our weight with the title win and promotion.
Nevertheless, we deserved the title win after the 18-match undefeated run i midseason. We ended with 89 points, only four more than last season but enough to finish two places better in a close league standing this season. 122 goals in 42 league matches was a new record for Vanarama North and the attack - with Bradley Fewster as our shining star for second season in row - was our most competitive competence.
The Board was happy and offered me a contract for next season with a 30% pay rise to £350 per week. Not a lot but fine with me
There were still not a great interest in Spennymoor for our matches. Only 655 spectators in average at Brewery Field was even lower than last season (16% of stadium capacity) - not impressive
We had played in the 4-2-4 wide formation in this season too and these players were the preferred in this season:
Once again, Bradley Fewster harvested many honours after the season: Player of the Year in Vanarama North, Top Goal Scorer of Vanarama North, Player of the Year at Spennymoor and Young Player of the Year at Spennymoor.
The honours had made Spennymoor his favoured club and me as his favoured personnel meaning that we could be able to hold on to him for the coming seasons afterall. With his young age (23) I hope he could stay here for at least two more years. He had signed for 2019/20 so far.
Winger Elliott Murray was elected Signing of the Year by our fans.
Before the season my ambition was to use fewer players than last year but it did not end like this due to many signings. Totally we used 42 players for Spennymoor this season. Our players were (5 matches minimum):
Goalkeepers
Peter Jameson, 26 years, 27 matches, 1 assist
Andrew Greig, 26 years, 14 matches
Shane Bland, 24 years, 9 matches
Defenders
DR Stephen Akbas (IRL), 20 years, 26 matches, 2 assists
DR/MC Jordan Linley, 21 years, 16 matches, 1 goal
DR Clive Smith (WAL), 21 years, 7 matches
DR Kallum Griffiths, 29 years, 5 matches, 1 goal (transfer to Bromley in September)
DC Joe Tait, 29 years, 44 matches, 1 goal, 3 assists
DC Andrew Hollins, 20 years, 44 matches, 2 goals, 3 assists
DC Isaac Ward, 19 years, 16 matches, 1 assist
DC/DL Jovanni Sterling, 20 years, 15 matches, 1 goal
DL Ben Williams (WAL), 20 years, 47 matches, 4 assists
DL/MC Chris Chantler, 28 years, 19 matches
DL Ibou Touray (GAM), 24 years, 6 matches
Midfielders
MC Grant Roberts, 28 years, 45 matches, 6 goals, 7 assists
MC Jamie Chandler, 30 years, 36 matches, 13 goals, 5 assists
MC Matty Dixon, 24 years, 19 matches, 2 goals, 4 assists
MC James Wesolowski (AUS), 31 years, 8 matches
AMR/MC Rob Ramshaw, 25 years, 28 matches, 7 goals, 5 assists
AMR/ST Josh Doughty (CAN), 22 years, 22 matches, 2 goals, 3 assists
AMR/MC Craig King (SCO), 28 years, 9 matches, 2 goals (transfer to Bromley in March)
AMR/AML Faustin Makela (COD), 19 years, 7 matches, 1 assist
AMRL/ST Junior Mondal, 22 years, 34 matches, 11 goals, 14 assists
AML Elliot Murray, 19 years, 6 goals, 7 assists
AML/AMR Jake Kirby, 24 years, 11 matches, 1 goal, 2 assists
Strikers
ST Bradley Fewster, 23 years, 47 matches, 36 goals, 24 assists
ST/AMRL Lewis Mansell (WAL), 21 years, 21 matches, 9 goals, 4 assists
ST Ronan Coughlan (IRL), 22 years, 21 matches, 10 goals, 5 assists
ST/AMRL Lewis Knight, 20 years, 17 matches, 10 goals, 4 assists
ST George Danaher, 18 years, 11 matches, 3 goals
ST Frank Mulhern (IRL), 22 years, 9 matches, 6 goals, 2 assists
ST Ronaldo Pearson (JAM) 20 years, 8 matches, 2 goals, 5 assists
ST Jake Beesley, 22 years, 7 matches, 3 goals
Due to low attendance we were still struggling with the financials. A new deficit above £100K increased our debt to more than £200K and a required investment in stadium (league demands) of £40K would increase our debt even more but perhaps it could attract more people to our home matches which could improve our finances - at least I hope so
And myself - I was elected to Manager of the Year in Vanarama North again