Anyone who’s been through it as a player, manager or fan knows that losing a play-off final is an unforgettably horrible experience. But I often think that losing a play-off semi is just as bad but in a different sort of way. When you go out in the semis, nobody remembers you. And often it takes just as long to get over as a losing day at Wembley, even though the disappointment isn’t as heightened. It’s about having the chance. At least if you get to the final you have a chance. The semis are an awful time to go out of any competition. And it’s for all those reasons that I’ve been so impressed with last season’s losing semi-finalists.
Burton are looking good
As I write, Burton Albion are top of the tree for the first time in their 58-year history. With the departure of Daryl Clare to Rushden in the summer I was one of quite a few who thought they’d feel that hard and struggle to compete as strongly as they did last season. But the arrival of Greg Pearson, the good form of Shaun Harrad and the valuable input from the talented Aaron Webster and John McGrath has meant that Nigel Clough has steadily picked up from where they left off last season. And considering the incredibly harsh refereeing decisions they were on the end of in the play-off semis, it has been highly impressive to see them back challenging so quickly. Nigel Clough is proving year on year what an outstanding manager he is. To see him in the Football League would only be the reward he so deserves. Loyalty is a separate issue to talent but when you combine both it’s a special thing. So few sets of football fans can claim their manager truly loves their club. Nigel does and that is something to really savour.
Torquay are on fire
As for Torquay United, what an incredible run they’re on. Thirteen unbeaten is just one away from equaling the club record so this weekend’s trip to York takes on added interest. To go out in the play-off semi-finals in the manner in which they did last year to local rivals and in such dramatic circumstances, followed by their disappointing FA Trophy final defeat to Ebbsfleet, takes some getting over. I know it hit the club hard. Players like the hugely experienced Chris Hargreaves were left devastated. A week of double disappointment and then a summer to dwell on it. And clearly it affected their opening seven or eight games. Paul Buckle would probably admit he was just a couple of games away from the sack. But now he has managed a quite stunning turnaround which has seen them shoot up the table. It is now hard to see them falling away such is their strength in depth. Hargreaves looks like the player he was last season after an indifferent start and with Tim Sills regularly knocking the goals in and the likes of D’Sane, Carlisle and Thompson also contributing to name just a few, Torquay are my new tip for the title. I don’t think you can overstate what a good job the management team of Buckle, Shaun North and Kenny Veysey have done there. The feeling around the club after their early televised games against Ebbsfleet and then at Kidderminster was one of real tension. But as Roscoe D’Sane said in last Sunday’s Non-League Paper, Buckle never panicked and that is the sign of a man who knows what he’s doing. And results have proved he does.
So taking all that into account, Torquay against Burton on the last weekend of the season at Plainmoor could well be a title decider. Now that would be quite some end to the season.
All praise to Histon
I can’t finish my blog without offering my huge congratulations to Histon. Gareth Baldwin and Steve Fallon, as I have said before, are two of the nicest men you could wish to meet in football. And their victory over Swindon Town was a wonderful result. Leeds at the GlassWorld Stadium would be brilliant not to mention the money that they are now guaranteed from ITV. I think I’m right in saying that £300,000 is their annual budget, so the TV payment of £75,000 is absolutely huge. They are lovely club in a lovely village with great fans. We will be there on New Year’s Day for their derby with Cambridge, hopefully by then they’ll have disposed of Leeds or Northampton and be preparing for the visit of Manchester United the following week in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.
To rdfc4eva – Not sure when we’re next covering Rushden, it’s all pretty complicated with organising our FA Cup fixtures at the moment so we have yet to issue the next round of BSP fixtures. As for your lot at the moment, the win against Weymouth was much needed. I just worry what the actions of Garry Hill putting all those players on the transfer list does to team spirit? Galvanises or crushed I suppose.
To Dave Ball – Dave thank so much for your reply, sounds like you are one happy family at the moment with Hull and Kettering! Everyone’s talking about how Hull’s bubble’s burst but there’s no shame in defeat against Chelsea , the game at Old Trafford hardly felt like a defeat and without Jussi Jaaskelainen in such top form, they’d have gotten at least a point out of Bolton at the weekend. They will be fine. As will Kettering although I think the title will be a step too far. However I do think that Mark Cooper will be snatched away sooner rather than later.
To Ian Lawn – Hi Ian, thank you for your feedback on the show. We try to do a caption competition whenever we can as it adds a bit of fun to the show. We have one tonight actually. And yes I know what you mean about Torquay after last season, you do feel like they deserve something after last season. Keep watching!
To Colin V – I know, it’s a shame that so many went out – you get the feeling that Wrexham’s minds are elsewhere this season. I foresee a bit of a charge up the table towards Christmas. But we can all get behind Histon now as well as the likes of Altrincham, Grays and Kettering. Plus Torquay have been quietly easing through too. I would absolutely love one of our Blue Square Premier teams to be the talk of the football world this season and for us at Setanta to cover them.
To Glyn – I hear you were unlucky against Crewe? This Kwesi Appiah stuff is not what you need either is it? I am worried for you. I did not see this bad run of form coming at all. How is Liam Daish dealing with it from the fans point of view Glyn?
To Tom B – yes that is a very strange thing to say about Daryl Clare. I can’t see that at all. As I said to rdfc4eva, the team spirit will have taken a hit. I find it all rather bizarre and also very sad for you fans who must have felt such hope at the start of the season. I hear Clare and Burgess are the subject of real interest from some clubs as January approaches. For your sake I hope they stay.
To Tom A – Aaah I knew I’d annoy some Rushden fans out there with my words on Kettering! I agree, I don’t think they will last right at the top and I also agree that you will put some results together. It will be interesting to see who finishes higher!