As our final fixture of the 2024/2025 season is now upon us, we took some time out with manager Steve King as he reflects on the past ten months...

Well what can I say about our first season at Step 4 for over 60 years! It has been a roller-coaster ride but I am really proud of how the boys have done. Regardless of the result against Broadbridge Heath, we are guaranteed to finish in the top nine which is a brilliant achievement having been promoted.

 

There have been times during the season where things have not always gone as we would have liked but the boys have stuck at it and have finished the season really strongly. We decided to stick with the squad that got us promoted last year adding only Josh Vincent and Jack Paxman last summer and the boys have not less us down. We have also had to contend with losing our two top goal scorers from last season in Aaron Millbank (to injury) and Billy Munday.

 

Despite that we have still scored over 100 goals in all competitions and played an attractive and attacking style of football. We know we have conceded too many goals but we have improved on this towards the back end of the season and I was really pleased with our back to back clean sheets last weekend.

 

Given Munday's move to league winners Ramsgate, and the loss of last season's top scorer Aaron Millbank due to injury, it has been fantastic to still see us score the total goals we have. But Steve is also fully aware of the long-term visions of the club, especially given where Deal Town were when he originally joined.

Our aim is to continue to grow the club sensibly and try to deliver year on year improvement. Having come to the club in January 2015 it took us nine years to build a squad capable of promotion and, although we will always be pushing to get promoted. we will do it sensibly and sustainably. Next year we will look to improve again but we have set a very high bar this year and we will require the patience of everyone. Importantly, as everyone knows, the second season after being promoted is often the toughest.

Away from the pitch, Steve was quick to recognise the help of all those around the club who help make the day-to-day operations 'tick-along':

As we have reached the end of the season it is important that I take some time to recognise and offer thanks to a number of people who have contributed to another successful season. Without all these people the club would not be what it is and I am eternally grateful for all their help and support.

Firstly, I would like to thank Natalie and all of the Directors. I don't think it would be possible to work with a better group of people. They all love the club and work tirelessly to improve what we do. Most of their work is unseen but I can assure you they are all brilliant.

 

We have recently seen the ground improvements that have taken place, as well as further developments we are making to our youth pathway; developments that the Board have been heavily involved in. They are also incredibly supportive of the squad and management team. Our visions are all aligned and it is rare in football nowadays to see a Board and management team work so closely together with the aim of developing a football club. So my thanks to Natalie, Rob, Danielle, Charlie, Marian, Fiona, Nick, Don and Andrew.

 

Secondly, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who work for the club both on match days and during the week. There are too many to name individually (and I'm worried I would miss someone) but your efforts are amazing. You are a real part of our family and we would not be able to function without you all. So to all those who help on the turnstile, improve the ground, help with the pitch, work on matchdays and a whole host of other jobs, I thank you all!

Thirdly, I would like to thank my management and backroom team who all do a brilliant job. Firstly they put up with me for nine months and secondly they do everything they can to support the players and allow them to perform on the pitch. Dean Hill is a brilliant assistant who keeps me grounded, is fully respected by the players and has a great knowledge of the game. Both Dean and Kieron Hollier are such trusted allies; they play a huge part in the decision making that takes place. Kieron is also a brilliant character who always knows the right time to lighten to mood. My thanks go to Tony Henderson and Dave Briggs for their work in supporting the players with injuries and keeping people fit and available. Finally my thanks for Dan Levey and Kye Smith who do a lot of unnoticed work to ensure the kit and everything that the players need is provided and create  a really professional environment. 

Fourthly, I would like to thank the playing squad. I have the upmost respect for them all. I challenge them regularly and ask a lot of them but they always respond. They represent the club with the passion that I have and I couldn't ask to work with a better group of human beings. They love playing for this club and always give 100% to make you, the supporters, proud. We will be saying goodbye to two players this week and I would like to give them both a special mention. 

Adam Molloy has been a brilliant signing for us but will be leaving at the end of the season to play more locally next season. I first worked with Adam 15 years ago and it has been great to work with him again. He is a brilliant goalkeeper and a great man in the dressing room. I firmly believe we would not have been promoted last year without Adam and I will be forever grateful for his commitment to us. He came in at a big time and has been so solid for us for the last 18 months; I wish him luck with his next venture. He will always be welcome to come back and see us all.

Archie Hatcher will also be leaving us to move to America to complete a scholarship. His attitude since he has been with us has been first class. It was great for him to finish the season with a brilliant free kick against Herne Bay on Monday. Over the last couple of weeks Archie has supported our young players in the U23's and shown a brilliant attitude helping those players progress. He is a brilliant player and will always be welcome back when he returns from the USA. Good luck Archie.

Fifthly, I would like to thank Rob, John and Danny for their work with the U23s and U18s. I know there were some eyebrows raised when we moved from a reserve side to an U23s, but I think it has proven to be a roaring success. Having personally worked hard with the young players over the last three or four years. we wanted to make sure there was a clear pathway for them. The Under 23s have had a brilliant season and are still in with a chance of winning the league. More importantly we have been able to give competitive minutes to a number of youngsters; Morgan Page, Zak Hammond and Owen Wilkinson have all been regular features in the first team squad with the former two starting the last seven games and doing brilliantly well in our winning run.

 

We have also seen Will Callahan, Kaeden Jefferys, Kye Davison and Dan Gannon make competitive appearances this season. I would be very surprised if there were many Step 4 clubs where seven U18s would have played competitive football. I personally remain fully committed to developing local young players as we continue to develop as a club. Next year we will have an U23, U18, U16, U14 and U13 side for the first time as we make the pathway clear for all those talented local players. 

A fantastic overview of everything here at the club but King had one final message in his end-of-season overview:

Finally, my most important thanks is to you the supporters. To have averaged over 600 for our home games is an amazing achievment. You have stuck with us both home and away and it gives the boys a real lift. For the club to continue to grow we need to keep growing our support and then the sky is the limit. I know its not easy when things don't go well but you have all stuck by us and remained positive and that has meant a lot. We hope to see you all again next season and please try and a bring a family member or friend to boost the numbers further. To those of you have travelled every week you have my full admiration and appreciation. Again there are too many to name but please know you are fully appreciated.

All it leaves me to say is that I hope you all have an enjoyable and restful summer. Enjoy the last game and we look forward to seeing you for our pre-season fixtures in July. Thanks again to you all! Come on you Hoops!