Supporters Predictions 24-25: Hendon

We asked supporters of our Pitching In Isthmian League clubs to preview the new season, reflect on the old and predict the final outcome. Their predicted 1-22 will be worked into a final table which you will see just before the big kick off. 

Felix Houseman is our expert on all things Green. 

1. Thinking about last season, what were your highlights?

Last season was fantastic for us as a club - with an excellent Trophy run, another London Senior Cup final (and loss) against Charlton, and our highest ever points tally since 2018, when we joined the Southern League. Our squad was fantastic and it’s good to see we’ve kept the brunt of it. The most memorable moment has to be THAT Oldham game, of course - just a perfect away day really to sum up a fantastic year for the club.

2. And what was the worst moment?

Unfortunately, it has to be bowing out of the FA Trophy to our most-hated rivals after being defeated 4-0, with a quarter-final home tie against Solihull Moors on the line. On another day, we might have come away with something had we taken one of our numerous chances or been given a competent referee. A second cup final defeat against Charlton’s U21s hurt too.

3. Which member of your squad was your Player of the Season - and why?

It’s so tricky to pick as we had such a vast array of consistently excellent performers. Joe and Neeks up top are just so reliable and take every chance they get - both far too good for this level. Our new signings were superb too, with Billy Leonard and Blaise Riley-Snow standing out in the centre of the park and drawing complements from every team we faced. But for me it has to be young Sam Adenola, who was just unreal at full back all season long and was rightly gifted with young player of the season.

4. Moving on to your current squad- which players do you think will make a big impact during the 24-25 campaign?

We’ve kept the majority of the squad but have lost some key performers, such as Billy Leonard and Hamza Semakula to Conference South sides. I think Blaise and Kurtis will continue their fantastic partnership coming off the end of the last campaign and it will be so important to keep our star forwards Joe and Neeks fit. We’ve also introduced a lot of new players all over the park and I think Sam Jackson, our new keeper from Canvey, will be instrumental in our playoff push. I’m excited to see how the season plays out and how we will line up.

5. Realistically, how do you think you’ll do this season?

It’s a tough one to call, but I reckon we’ll do even better than last season and total somewhere around 60-70 points, finishing in and around 5th place. All the lads seem confident on playoffs at the very least but we know it’ll be a tough league, with some massive teams on big budgets. A top half finish would be very respectable for us but I reckon we’ll go a bit further than that.

6. Which matches are you most looking forward to going to- and why?

Following the recent release of fixtures, I’m most excited for our Bognor games - AWAY on the 24th August and HOME on the last day of the season in April. Both should promise big gates, especially on final day, where we could expect in excess of 700 if things are going well. Wingate and Dulwich are two teams we look out for naturally, as they are our local rivals, but ¾ of these games are on midweeks so I’m not as excited about that but at least they are easy to get to. Dover away as our penultimate away day will be unreal, and some plans for costumes and a big day out will be made in due course…

7. What is your favourite Isthmian away ground?

Well, it has to be Dover Athletic, really. The facilities and stands of a National League Club and one of our furthest away days by the sea, in April too. Dartford is a good one as well, they’ve got a quality setup and a really interesting eco-ground. Billericay and Lewes are proper old school too. Horsham, Cray Wanderers and Dulwich are all fairly new and will pull big gates as well. So all of them really!

8. If you regularly travelled away, which ground served the best food?

I haven’t visited any current Isthmian grounds yet, so I haven’t a clue how to answer that. I hear Dulwich and Lewes are ones to look out for on the culinary front though.

9. Who do you think will finish in the top five? 

Dover Athletic, Folkestone Invicta, Dartford, Dulwich Hamlet, Hendon (P)

Thank you- now, who’s next? If you’d like to represent your club please send an email to Ian at [email protected] and we’ll send you the questions.