With a new season looming here's a look back at 2013 -2014

So for England supporters the World Cup is a thing of the passed so lets have a look at our last season as we now embark on a new season with training already started the league formation also close to complete lets reflect on last season and conclude on League and Club honours.

Pre Season was promising with only 1 defeat to an impressive Northern Premier side Ilkeston a warm up which included a draw against step 4 Loughborough Dynamo and victories against step 4 Gresley away and Step 3 Rushall at home a pre season opening 7-1 win against Blaby and Whetstone who went onto win the Westerby Cup. It also saw myself resign although a lot believe I was sacked as the Supporters team manager after defeat against a team of ringers from Ilkeston.  

August

A perfect opening result against a side who were one of the most impressive sides to visit The Dovecote Stadium in Walsall Wood who were emphatically promoted the season before with Joe Hopewell scoring the only goal of the game. The month continued in good form with 4 wins including an opening away Saturday game in which a majority of the BWA travelled in fancy dress with a 6-1 win 5 up at half time, an advance in the FA Cup with a victory at Graham St Primms after going behind in their first indulgence in the competition a draw at Farley Way a 4-0 home Tuesday night win against Kirby Muxloe which we all agreed was a flattering result and after our first Visit to the University Stadium and their highest attendance in their short history we took the lead but succumbed to a 2-1 defeat after a lengthy break for a floodlight failure. The month ended disappointingly as we exited the FA Cup with a disjointed 4-0 defeat away at Long Eaton Utd.

A month where we were involved in the highest attendances in the MFA for 3 consecutive games and ended the month 4th in the league.

September

Saw a league win and defeat an emphatic Local cup victory and exits in the FA Vase and League Cup

An indifferent month saw a 1-0 victory at home to Alvechurch and after a lengthy delay on the M6 and reaching Stourport pushing close to Kick off a 4-1 defeat. We did break the clubs Highest scoring record and the Loughborough Charity Cup highest score with a 13-1 win against Falcons after going 1-0 down early on. Kirby Muxloe avenged their league defeat knocking us out of the FA Vase 3-0 and a spirited and confidence boosting performance after an arduous month saw us exit the League Cup away at Dunkirk 1-0

October

A winless October was part of an expression which was mentioned for a majority of the season of if and buts 2 draws Tipton at home and then Rocester who were reduced to 9 men both goal less it's still unexplainable how we never scored against The Romans The month also saw 3 defeats a 2-0 loss at Coventry Sphinx where we undone by wo quick fire goals and again 3-1 to Causeway United both games where we had dominated without killing off the game another story of the season, the final defeat was a 4-1 defeat at home to Coleshill.

November

A month which we had 5 league games culminating in 2 wins 3 defeats and 2 further cup exits. League victories were to local rivals Heather St Johns at home 6-2 and a convincing 4-1 away win at Heath Hayes. Defeats were against High flying at the time Highgate who although losing 2-0 we were more than in the game, Coventry Sphinx did the double with a 2-0 win at The Dovecote and a 3-0 away defeat at AFC Wulfrinians. Gresley levelled games with their visit to The Dovecote in the Coalville Charity Cup with an 8-2 win but poor officiating certainly made the difference in this game and then a 5-1 defeat against step3 Barwell in the Westerby Cup a good performance but difference in fitness and experience at higher level showed the difference (Why didn't we draw Hinckley Utd in the 1st Round)

December

An equal month with 2 defeats 2 draws and 2 wins which ended with a change of management. The month started with than a least said the better away defeat against then routed bottom of the table Continental Star 4-1 in the midweek Chris (Chalky) White was relieved of his managerial duties and Assistant Manager Jim Wynne and Matt Houldsworth were placed in interim charge. Their first game in charge was a home victory against Alvechurch 3-2,a home draw against Stourport 2-2 a disappointing defeat against Heather were then under the charge of ex Shepshed players Gary Hateley and Dave Williams the Saturday before Xmas but a good festive two games with a 5-3 victory away at Dunkirk Boxing Day and a 2-2 draw against the University the last Saturday of 2014.

January

Britain was covered with the floods in January and affected a majority of the MFA and in hindsight affected many sides season we only managed one game throughout the month but extended the unbeaten run to 3 with a 2-2 draw at Kirby Muxloe.


February

The next month didn't see much more action two games but two unbelievable results a visit to Boldmere St Michaels who hadn't los at home all season but we came away with a 2-1 victory and then the last Tuesday of the month the boys from the far end of the A6 came and a memorable night was enjoyed into the early hours by all with a 3-1 home win.

March

March was the M month for miserable a month which saw a hectic catch up of fixtures 6 defeats, a draw and an end of month win. The defeats were 3 home games Rocester at home 3-2 how we lost this game is still beyond belief, champions elect came to The Dovecote and after taking the lead l we lost 3-1 to Tividale, and how do you score 4 at home but still lose as we lost 5-4 to Westfields

The away defeats were to Alvechurch 1-0 in a month where we had dominated a majority of the games and a came away with nothing the same followed at Highgate 2-1 and Coleshill 2-0 the month also included a 2-2 draw against Gornal and a final Saturday of the month victory against in form Causeway 2-0 sods law I missed the 1st league home game for years that day.

Apirl

Final month of the season which must be one of the busiest end of season for many a year no more than 7 league games and a Charity Cup game.

The league season ended with 4 defeats, 2 draws and 1 victory. The defeats were 1-0 Heath Hayes, a messy day 3-2 defeat which we deserved something out of on Gary Andrews stag do at Westfields, an under strength but spirited 3-0 defeat on a Thursday night at Walsall Wood a 5-2 win away at Tipton, a home on Easter Monday to Dunkirk a penalty defeat in the Loughborough Charity Cup to Barrow.

The season ended with a carnival atmosphere away to Champions Tividale 3-2 a final phrase we have all used throughout the season Sometimes we weren't beaten but we beat ourselves.

So season 2013 - 2014 saw the final season under the Flagship Midland Football Alliance and a season which fizzled out to a final position of 16th but we now regroup to be part of the Newly formed Midland Football League for 2014 -2015

The Final rolls of honour and stats for last season were;

League Champions Tividale
Relegated Gornal Athletic to West Midlands Regional League, Heather St Johns to the Newly Formed Midland Football League Division 1. The final relegation place has not been confirmed yet as Highgate have had their ground grading turned down by the league and have appealed to the FA and face possible relegation or Rocester.

Promoted Brocton and Lye Town
Moved Laterally from other step 5 Leagues Long Eaton United and Basford
League Cup Runners Up Tipton losing 2-1 in the final

Club Honours at Presentation Night

The final Reserves season

Managers Player Luke Green
Players Player and Top Goalscorer Zak Ginvert
Supporters Player Jon Ferrie

First Team

Managers Player, Worst Dressed Player, Players Player Steve Chaplin
Top Goalscorer Jonathan Jones
Supporters Player Ryan Thacker
Supporters Club Player Rob Mulonga
Guest Appearance Matt Houldsworth

Clubman of the Year Mick Widdowson