At the first time of asking, Farnborough won their new division, tearing the league apart and scoring 110 goals in the process. The resulting gain in promotion to the Southern Premier League meant that Farnborough were now just one division below that of their predecessor’s final standing. Immediately the club had progressed and aimed to do so again in their second season.
The summer saw a second change in management personnel since the clubs formation along with a large turnover of players. New stands, seating and new dugouts were installed as Cherrywood Road began to take shape in a revamp all over for the club. The new season started well and 2008/09 saw ‘Boro challenge for the title. However, the large scale changes at Farnborough could not hold off big spending Corby Town, who took the automatic promotion spot. Farnborough had to settle for a playoff place, and a lacklustre performance in the playoff final against Gloucester meant that the champagne was put on ice. With back to back promotions too much to ask, another stint in the Southern Premier League beckoned.
Summer 2009 saw even more changes at the club, and yet another change in management, which this time provided Steve King an opportunity at the helm. King had enjoyed success at Lewes previous to this, taking them up the non-league pyramid to the Conference National. A number of players were added by the new manager, including some of the Farnborough Town old boys. A great run sent Farnborough to the top end of the table early on, but a tough winter of postponed fixtures and great run of results for Nuneaton Town threatened ‘Boro yet again. The yellows managed to hold on this time around and brought the title to Cherrywood Road. Just three years after the old club folded, Conference South football had returned to Farnborough.
The rise has not all been easy going as off the field Farnborough have again struggled financially. Earlier this season, the club was in very difficult times and it was looking like they were not going to be able to compete when they were hit with the demand for a £100,000 bond from the league. However, a rescue sponsorship deal with Paddy Power was secured, which demanded the club rename their stadium, and more shockingly rename their playing staff. Players of the side have this year changed their names by deed poll as part of the deal, and are all now known as former footballing greats. Each player has chosen an inspirational figure that once graced their position, so today we may well see Maradonna, Pele, Beckham and Gascoigne playing together in Chelmsford for the first time. Enough money has been raised by the deal to save the club from administration and allow them to compete in the Conference South this year.
Now rescued financially, Farnborough have begun well on the field, starting with a 1-0 win over Dover Athletic at their newly named Paddy Power Park. Though the names on the shirts may have provided some motivation early on, what followed were mixed results in September. Two wins, two draws and two losses in all competitions were recorded. This level of inconsistency has set the standard for the months that have followed. Farnborough have crashed out of both the FA Cup and FA trophy in replays of their first ties to Eastbourne Bor and Staines Town respectively. Their concentration will now be in the league as they aim to replicate the result that was recorded in October when the Clarets were on the wrong end of a 2-0 score line. For Farnborough, the win helped balance the month as they took nine points from a possible eighteen.
Going into November, ‘Boro won well at home to Weston-Super-Mare with a 4-0 score line; the second game this season in which they have netted four times. Following this, Farnborough have secured another point with a draw on the road to Maidenhead, then going on to suffer a loss at Eastleigh. With FA trophy action splitting a further two league games before the visit to Essex, Farnborough will be keen to take the points and add a positive end to another month of inconsistent results.
We thank all Farnborough fans for making the journey to
Essex today and wish them a safe journey back following the game this
afternoon.
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