Happy New Year to everyone associated with our wonderful football club!
As we see in the year 2025, it is a great time to reflect on the good and the bad over the past twelve months. Having taken over the hotseat in the first week of May, I am unable to provide a detailed summary of the first four months of this year. What I can account for is the fantastic job that Matt Clarke & the players did to keep us at this level of football. Although many would not identify this as success compared to Matt’s previous spell, it is not lost on me and it shouldn’t be to you that it was pivotal to ensure we are where we are today. Without that, we could not be sitting in the playoffs entering 2026.
In May, I took on the responsibility of navigating the long-term project of continuing the growth and development of the whole club. A project that excited me and still excites me greatly! In my first interview, I talked about creating a team to be proud of – a team with energy, desire & determination. I also talked about developing the youth pathway and integrating them into our first team for a stronger future. Eight months on and I am delighted to see where we are compared to that first interview.
We sit in the playoffs in 5th place, which has exceeded the expectations that were set out when I took the job. Despite our high placing in the league, I feel we could be even higher, which is frustrating. However, I have to be realistic as this is a new group. With most of the squad leaving in the summer, a complete rebuild was needed, and I asked for time & patience for the team to settle. The truth is, we still haven’t settled due to many consistent injuries which have hampered us at key times. I haven’t had a settled back four or midfield to choose from, which has led to inconsistency in performance and results. That said, we currently have a 50% win ratio and if we continue that into the second half of the season, we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. We are currently in the semi-final of the Worcestershire Cup and the Third Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup, so a lot to play for as we head into the New Year.
A huge part of our success has been the development of our youth pathway. Our young players have not only been given a chance, but they have taken it with both hands. Notably, Billy Fielding with 18 appearances, not just appearances, but top performances. His performances have resulted in him signing a new contract, committing himself to the club and us to him. Omari Brown earned himself legendary status with his equaliser in the Christmas derby a week ago, a memory he won’t forget for a while. Along with those two, we have had a total of 14 players from our Academy feature in competitive fixtures. A stat that I’m incredibly proud of and it will continue to grow. Let us bear in mind that the season is only five months old – that’s some achievement by our young Reds.
The season itself saw us off to a bad start away at Sudbury, but bounce straight back at home against Stratford for our first three points of the season. August saw us struggle to find our feet but a comfortable 3-0 win against Bromsgrove ended the month on a high. September saw us only lose once in the league and pick up notable wins away at Real Bedford and Stourbridge at home. We faced Harborough at home in the last game of the month and a win would’ve taken us joint top, but unfortunately, we fell short on the night. October brought us four wins out of five and took us to third in the league, getting three clean sheets out of the five games. Halesowen away and Alvechurch at home were the standout victories. Three wins in six games in a busy November, with the three losses coming against the top three in the league. It was the final game of the six that would turn out to be the lowest point of the season so far and an embarrassing 7-0 loss at home against the then top Spalding. I feared that this could derail us, but the team responded well, beating Kidderminster Harriers by six and then following it up with wins against Banbury & Stamford at home. Only one point to show for the two Christmas games so far, but the latest game against Bromsgrove away turned out to be a good point, having played with 10 men for 70 minutes.
My summary would be: great at times, but we can also do better. On our day, we are a match for anyone in the division, but we have to respect all teams (apart from one!). We are in the business of picking up points and we have done that well so far with a new and very young squad. A lot to be proud of, but more importantly, a lot to be excited for because we will only get better. What I do love about us is that we are different to every other team, we are doing it our way and doing it well.
Finally, a message to you, the fans. Thank you from me, my staff and my players for all the support that you have given us at home & away and the social events (not that you needed any encouragement to attend the social events!).
You have supported us in every moment; it is easy to do that in the highs, but not so much in the lows. The support after the Sudbury game away, the Spalding game at home meant so much to us as a team and is a huge factor as to why we have shown great determination to get it right for you. That is why, whether we win or we lose, we will always come and show our appreciation to you at the end of each game. The respect has gone both ways, and that is why we have such a great connection. Long may that continue!
So at midnight tonight, raise a glass of whatever you want, look back with pride and forward with excitement. Wishing you all a prosperous 2026, and we will see you Saturday for another derby against Worcester.
Mike Fowler
