Well, well well, where do I start, what a whirlwind season this has been, especially the second half of the season.
Most of you would have read my Christmas report which gave a sum up of the first half of the season where we said goodbye to Dean, We welcomed a new Development side, The first team started their season strong remaining in the top of the table, We welcomed new managers to the club and work off the pitch continued as always. Fast forward, to the end of the season and how do I sum this one up.
On the Pitch
The weather after Christmas was enough to dampen anyones mood and it caused so many games to be cancelled and a huge backlog of games towards the end of the season. Games were swapped, Christmas local derbies were called off and we were all left wondering when it would end. Even as I sit here in May, writing this… its raining.
Some highlights in the second half of the season, MUST be beating Real Bedford at home, the ONLY team to beat them this season, what a win that would end up being. Another Draw with MK Irish and beating two Northampton sides to get into the Gladwish Final. We played Tring twice in 7 days and both games were extremely competitive and saw some really good football played.
April comes around and the end of the season draws in… were sitting in a play off position and the games are coming thick and fast. By the middle of April, our playoff position was guaranteed it was now in our hands as to where we would finish. Tring, the last game of the season and we need a win to Finish 3rd and have a home draw in the Semi Final vs Harpenden. They beat us 1-0 and we finished the Season in 4th by goal difference meaning an away Tie in the Semi Final.
On Wednesday 1st May we travelled to Harpenden with a crowd of 917, a good mix of Harps and Levy fans and went into the game with the mindset of what happens happens, we were proud of the achievement. I said it many times that night, if someone had told me we would be sitting here at the play offs I would have pinched myself. We went 1-0 up after 4 minutes and then quickly made it 2-0 before half time, each and every one of those lads putting 150% into their game. Harps came out strong in the second half and looked like they could get one back, but super-sub Beckwith had other ideas and a 3rd goal went in. Harps score a goal, and the last 10 minutes go by slow… the whilste goes and the celebrations start, we had made it into the Play Off Final, this would end up being at home to FC Romania who beat MK Irish 3-0.
After an extremely hard 4 days of organizing, Monday 6th May arrived, and we welcomed 914 people into Pancake Lane on a very very wet day. What a game this would turn out to be. The rain made the pitch difficult to play on so long balls and not much fancy football was the key to this one. We took the lead and then another… and then another. We were 3-0 and it suddenly hit me what that meant. The final whistle goes, and we had done it… Little Old Levy have been promoted to Step 4 Football. For the first time in Leverstock Green history we were playing Step 4!! The celebrations continued well into the night and the boys truly deserved this as they have put so much into it this season.
But we weren’t finished there, we travelled to Harpenden Town on 11th May to face London Lions in the Gladwish Final which saw us go 1-0 down early on before coming back and winning 4-1. We had done the double, but we also said goodbye to the Legend that is Paul Marks as he retires from playing.
And still we were not done, on Friday 17th May we travelled to Hemel FC to face Harpenden once again in the St Mary’s Cup Final where we hoped to retain the trophy. We went 1-0 up after a penalty but it was a game of lots of missed chances for Leverstock and great goalkeeping by the Harpenden Keeper. A hatrick from Jake Anthony, took away the chance of a Treble for Levy and Harpenden were crowned Champions of the St Mary’s Cup.
Take nothing away from Friday night, The boys have had the best season Leverstock have ever had and each and every one of them and everyone off the pitch deserves this. Next year Levy will play in the Southern League Central Div 1 playing against ex Spartan teams, Kings Langley, Berkhamsted, Stotfold, Leighton and Hadley amongst a few of the teams.
The Development Team stormed ahead with the new management team after a shaky start, they only lost 3 of their last 18 games pushing them up into finishing 8th in the league. This was an outstanding achievement for the management team and the players, showing their abilities and skills. They also had a backlog of games due to the weather and with some of the players stepping up from the under 18’s this caused some of the players to be playing 4 times in 5 days! But they continued to fight and dug in deep to finish the season strongly.
I am very happy to say we are continuing with the team next season all be it they will now be Leverstock Green Reserves and we will continue to grow the under 18’s into men’s football and push them to the first team.
The under 18’s continued to push against some very tough opposition this season and over the season took some losses that were worthy of wins. They faced some tough issues this year and were put through their paces with difficulties on and off the pitch. A huge highlight was welcoming Kings Langley to Levy and beating them 4-1 in a very tough contested game. The lads continued to push themselves in every game with at least 6 of them stepping up to the Development games on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, Aaron, Dan and Dan will be leaving us this year and taking a step away from management. I truly cannot thank these guys enough for all the time and effort they have given the club this year. Three great people who fitted into the club’s ethos from the get-go. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Off the Pitch
The work off the pitch carried on as normal with daily jobs completed, the normal running of the club and supporting the lads on and off the pitch. The grounds team have once again excelled this year with their efforts in maintaining a quality playing surface against some very tough conditions and a lot of cancellations. I know work has already begun on the pitch, it’s true, a groundman’s job is never complete.
We have secured a partnership with Apsley Football Club which will see Youth football being played at Leverstock on Sunday mornings. This ranges from the ages of 7-16’s and will be run by Garry Harvey. I for one cannot wait to see youth back at the club and I’m very proud to have this opportunity to grow a Partnership with Apsley.
All of the committee work their socks off every day in various roles to ensure the running of the club is a success and games are carried out to the best of our abilities. I am so thankful to all of them for helping support me to ensure that Levy continues to be the club that we have always been and continues to strive to push higher.
A huge thank you to Lords who continue to support the club in various ways, it’s been great see so many of the Lords family come down and see the club and watch the games. We couldn’t do what we do without your continued support.
This year we pushed out the sponsorship and we gained some relationships with local businesses and those wanting to support the club. I just want to say a very big thank you to all those who sponsored us in a variety of ways this season.
The final thanks go to the Management Teams, the Players, the Supporters and the Backroom staff including the Bar and Tear bar staff. The ship that is Leverstock Green Football Club wouldn’t be what it is without you all and your continued efforts. It’s a great place to be involved with and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
The pride I take from the achievements we have made this year is overwhelming, I cannot thank everyone for the messages of congratulations and the messages of good luck along the way. I am truly buzzing, and this will live with me forever.
I cannot wait to see what next season brings at the club, but we take a step into a world of football we have never been to before and we will face these challenges head on. There will be a lot of changes at the club this year and we hope you continue to support us as we make these changes.
Enjoy the break and I will look forward to seeing you all back again for the 24/25 season in STEP 4!
Your Chairman Emma