It might suck at the moment to realise we’ll not be visiting our second home in north west London this year, but let the dust settle on the 2014-5 League Two campaign and you’ll find that it’s a good time to be a Stevenage supporter once again. Yeah, Shrewsbury Town managed an instant return to the division above – but it’s up to them if they want to be a yo-yo club, right?
After we left Dave Parade in December after a two-goal hiding from Newport County, few could have truly thought we would catch Luton Town and help end their promotion hopes. And there may well have been a couple of windows in which we were looking like the side travelling to the national stadium later this month, there’s no shame in losing out to Southend United.
Don’t forget – Southend probably shouldn’t have been fannying around in the playoffs but bungled their automatic hopes on the last day of the campaign. With one of the prolific attacks and meanest defences, the Shrimpers are worthy of their spot in the final and have the strongest claim to that fourth promotion place. And for High Wycombe Wanderers? Moving on…
The point that we’re clearly taking far too long to make is that things are looking up for the Boro’; the feel-good factor is back once again with the renegade master and the squad is looking in good nick. From the ingenuity of Charlie Lee to the youthful swashbuckle of Bennedy; the imperious Bira Dembele to the evergreen Chris Day, who is the world’s oldest 21-year-old!
And then of our opponents for next season? Cambridge? Luton? Barnet? Wycombe? It’s going to be a local affair next season. When we’re reasserting our superiority over those flipper-flapping oiks down the A1, ask yourself if you’d rather be slumming it in Walsall. Or Preston. Or, bloody hell, PORT VALE. Did we mention the world’s greatest team Notts County are joining us too?
Oh, and then there’s the new North Stand.
Nothing in life is perfect and there is an ominous cloud on the horizon. There is a reasonable chance we’ll be starting next term with a change in management. Given the momentum we’ve built up, this is not welcome – and even some among us whom, with the greatest of intentions, thought change was due a few months ago will not be too glad to hear of this potential situation.
Of course, in such a situation inherent is another possible reason to be cheerful. Boro’ stock is high and, should GW regretfully depart, a good replacement is out there waiting. But after Stimmo, Smithy, the second coming of Cloughie and some geezer by the name of Wignall, all roads have led back to Westley and his is a record that deserves respect, gratitude and pride.
It might not be a quiet summer at the Lamex, but now is a good time to think about what made you want to be a Stevenage fan – for times like this. Not basking in the continued winter of glorious failure like Luton Town or Oxford United, but continually pushing to achieve more. Making history, not living in it. We’re Stevenage Football Club – and we’re coming for you.
