NORTH DIVISION
PENNY for the thoughts of Maldon & Tiptree. Wayne Brown’s side were cruising to glory two seasons ago until the pandemic stopped them in their tracks.
They lost some good players from that squad but Brown built again to have the Jammers off to a good start again last term.
Yes, it was only five games, but you can understand if there is some pent up frustration ready to be unleashed on the Isthmian North this season as well.
The division has a slightly different look this time, however, with Cambridgeshire contingent Histon and Soham Town Rangers – who were both going well – and Cambridge City shifting across to the new NPL Division One Midlands.
New faces include Stowmarket Town, complete with former Cambridge United striker Reggie Lambe, along with Hashtag United and their large online following.
Bury Town were unbeaten in their opening four games last season. A certain win was chalked off when they 5-0 up with minutes to go only for fog to set in, which would have made it four wins in five, but Ben Chenery’s side have clear intentions. They play good football at the Denny Bros Stadium and will expect more of the same this time round.
There is also a famous face returning to the division at Heybridge Swifts. West Ham United legend Julian Dicks has returned for a second spell to lead the Scraley Road side having spent time as Slaven Bilic’s assistant in the Premier League at West Brom.
Dicks all but guided Swifts to promotion at the end of 2018-19 but it was the year of the FA’s reshuffle and, despite winning the play-offs, they were denied on a points-per-game when compared with other sides across Step 4. The Terminator has unfinished business – how he would love to put that right.
