THEY have tried their best to keep it quiet, but we’re about to let a rather big cat out of the bag. It’s top secret and they’ve kept it well under wraps. There’s a chance you may already know this but for most this may come as a complete shock.
Billericay Town have a new owner. And he is rather wealthy.
Tongue-in-cheek of course, the Essex club haven’t just shouted it from the rooftops but they set up camp for the summer up there and grabbed a microphone to tell anyone who will listen.
Things got louder and louder on Friday morning. News broke that Glenn Tamplin, their mega-rich manager who is pouring his person fortune into the club, has written a huge cheque.
Jermaine Pennant signed. It took the club’s weekly – yes, weekly – wage bill to over £30,000.
The seventh tier of English football hasn’t ever seen anything like it. Billericay are easily outspending many Football League clubs.
Shall we just save ourselves some time and crown then Bostik Premier winners now? Opinions differ. Some say there’s little point pretending to resist a club that one bookie offered title odds of 1/10 on.
Other rivals hang their hopes on the fact that Tamplin, untested as a manager, is running everything. If they don’t start well, it could go wrong quite quickly. But he insists toys won’t be thrown from prams.
What of the rest? Leatherhead have employed a first time manager too in Sammy Moore. He’s added top quality in the form of Jack Midson and Lee Minshull, and at 29 Moore will be playing himself.
Margate, after having no money last year, have found some down the back of the sofa. Manager Steve Watt has spent it well so expect the Gate to be in the top five.
Every year we look to Dulwich Hamlet, and their manager Gavin Rose had a quirky response when we asked how the club are going to get over their latest play-off final defeat.
“Get over it?” he said. “It happens every year. We’re totally immune to it now!”
Gallow’s humour masks the loss of their big chance, losing to Bognor Regis in the promotion shoot out but Rose has kept faith with the squad that went so close.
Enfield Town‘s new era is being directed by experienced manager Andy Leese, the former Chesham manager succeeds Brad Quinton who returns to Braintree Town.
Staines Town have a good chance if they can build on their great end to last season. The Swans finally got their new keeper on Thursday, former Leiston stopper Ashee Jones replaces Jack Turner.
Dorking Wanderers come up from the Ryman South with swagger, Marc White their manager also helps fund the team. Former Conference promotion winner Luke Moore signs.
Tooting, with talented young manager Frank Wilson, could push too while Tonbridge Angels may not have signed many but boss Steve McKimm has signed well.
The first day of the Bostik North season could offer vital clues to what’s ahead. Two relegated sides meet as AFC Sudbury welcome Canvey Island with both tipped to be at the right end of the table this time around.
Aveley‘s fantastic new ground has given the club a boost on and off the pitch and good things are expected this season. Grays, under Jamie Stuart, could be considered challengers.
The same is expected of AFC Hornchurch. A couple of near play-off misses has frustrated at Bridge Avenue. Bowers’ forward Bradley Warner, who scored 30 goals last term, joins their title quest.
Maldon & Tiptree notched 91 points last season and still didn’t go up – there’s hope in that part of Essex that their luck will change after running out of gas at the crucial time.
