THIS week, the club caught up with Matthew Swift, our Head of Data and Analytics, who also coaches and assists with our U19 BTEC side in partnership with the Steven Gerrard Academy, to give some insight and a review of the 2024/25 campaign for the team.
"With players completing their studies and a new intake stepping in, a slight period of adjustment was always expected. For our U19 BTEC side, that teething phase lasted longer than we’d have liked.
Three games in, we found ourselves rock bottom. Zero points. A minus nine goal difference. Confidence was low.
But football seasons aren’t defined by their beginnings. Over the following weeks, we slowly began to grind out results and build momentum. The turning point came away at Buxton. Trailing 1-0 at half-time and 3-1 just 15 minutes into the second half, few would have predicted what came next.
A determined fightback saw us level at 3-3 with five minutes to go, and in the final moments, we found a winner. The spirit shown that day set the tone for what was to come.
From that point, we went on a remarkable run; ten games unbeaten, collecting 28 points out of a possible 30, and holding a game in hand over second place. The belief was back.
A 3-1 defeat to Notts County threatened to derail our push, but the group responded perfectly, bouncing back with three consecutive wins.
Despite our slow start, we never allowed those early setbacks to define us. With just three games remaining, we were within touching distance of the title.
The equation was simple: facing the teams in 2nd and 3rd in our final fixtures, four points would crown us champions.
Game 1: FC United of Manchester
A hard-fought clash. Both sides battled and created chances, but ultimately, we had to settle for a draw. One point gained, but two dropped in the title race.
Game 2: FC Halifax Town
A true test of character. Victory would clinch the title with a game to spare. Instead, we found ourselves 2-0 down with just minutes remaining. Halifax, sitting above us on goal difference, looked set to take control. We pulled one back late on and had a golden chance in the dying seconds, but it wasn’t to be.
Game 3: Final Day Drama
The standings were tight: level on points with second, ahead only on goal difference. Just two points ahead of third. They faced each other while we took on sixth place. All three could still win the league.
We needed to win, and win big.
Ten minutes in, 1-0 up. By the 20-minute mark, pegged back to 1-1. Nerves crept in. But by half-time, we led 3-1, and full-time saw us secure a 6-1 win. Job done. Almost.
We waited anxiously for news from the other match. Ten minutes passed. Then 15. Then 30. Finally, word came through: FC Halifax Town had won 6-2. They matched us on points and nearly caught us on goal difference; falling just two goals short.
After sitting bottom of the league three games in, 16 games later we were crowned champions.
This incredible turnaround wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering determination, resilience, and togetherness of this squad. Every player played their part, overcoming setbacks and showing belief when it mattered most.
A season to remember, for all the right reasons."
