GUT FEELING SIMON STODDART’S

He had taken on a not promising set up at The Pilot Field as United started from scratch after relegation with change of ownership, team break up and a pitch in appalling condition (after a new drainage system had been installed) thrown in. United had just beaten Corby Town 3-1 to make a decent start but a grim season lay ahead as Lovers did his very best with limited resources. He'd been here as a player in 1994-95, a major signing he was too with his Fooball League and Welsh international back ground. He scored crucial goals as Town worked hard to maintain their Southern Premier status 10 years or so before the formation of what we now know as the National South and North leagues.

Two good blokes who were - and I'm sure, still arewhat semi-pro football is all about. My personal choices for the two promotion spots from Isthmian SE are Ramsgate and Cray Valley. Chatham might have something to say about that - they replaced Ramsgate at the top of Isthmian SE last weekend after drubbing Ashford 4-1 at Homelands. Ramsgate were losing 2-0 at Three Bridges while Cray Valley went down to an 89th minute goal at Littlehampton.

UPDATE ... UPDATE ...

Tommy Osborne now manages Cray Valley who have recovered well after an inconsistent start and he had a good weekend getting the better of Lovers with a big big 2-0 win. Tommy O was a versatile midfielder / defender who slotted in wherever required in his Hastings Town days. Utterly dependable member of the Town squad.

The excellent Kent online site reports that Ramsgate and Steve Lovell have parted company! Lovers was being assisted by his son Mark who played a few games for the U's and St Leonards around the turn of the century. Hmmmm, weird, Ramsgate going well etc etc ....

The SE division looks interesting after Tuesday's games, Chatham lost at Beckenham Town who went 2nd. All 4 promoted sides are doing well in fact.

Warmer Climes Beckon

You'll be getting this column from my Philippines office starting with the Folkestone game on Tuesday. And retirement in the next two or three months will see the season out and a substantial part of my time way way away in South East Asia. 11.45 pm kick offs, 3.45 am for evening games .......

Fly out tomorrow for 4 weeks, back to see out 22/23 and finalise retirement. See ya'll in a month or so.