Clarets - was sickness bug the turning point? (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Clarets - was sickness bug the turning point?

4:45pm Wednesday 13th May 2009

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Chelmsford City will look to replicate the first half of the 2008/09 campaign when they begin another push for promotion from the Blue Square South next season, though they will have to learn from the mistakes they made post-Christmas if they are to make a concerted challenge this time around.

Jeff King’s Clarets were leading the way moving into the new year, but a dramatic fall which included eight losses after the festive period saw them drop into fifth place at the end of the campaign, followed by a two-legged play-off defeat to eventual beaten finalists Hampton & Richmond Borough. Now City look to follow AFC Wimbledon and Hayes & Yeading United into the Blue Square Premier in 2009/10.

In fact, it was at Hayes back in August that Chelmsford successfully began their schedule with a 1-0 victory at Church Road thanks to a single Bertie Brayley goal. The Clarets’ unstoppable away form was to prove the foundation for their excellent start, winning ten and drawing one of their first 11 journeys.

A further boost was given to City’s chances of a second successive title came in November with an important 3-2 home win over rivals AFC Wimbledon.

Chelmsford lost just three times before Christmas and, although they bowed out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy in embarrassing fashion at Bury Town and Hayes & Yeading respectively, their promotion quest looked bright until what many deem as the turning point on Saturday, January 3. A major sickness bug took hold of the dressing room, leaving handfuls of players absent from training and matches in turn, leading to their first away defeat at Newport County, 3-1.

King’s side visibly wobbled from that point, and they entered their potentially vital return clash at AFC Wimbledon’s Kingsmeadow low on confidence, eventually succumbing 3-1 in front of the Dons’ record crowd as hundreds of supporters from both sides were locked out. Chelmsford went on to lose eight times after Christmas, with their impressive away form disappearing.

City ultimately finished in fifth place, a position many would have taken at the start of the season.

Old foes Hampton & Richmond Borough provided the opposition, firstly at home which resulted in a 3-1 win for the West Londoners, with Clarets’ Player of the Year Dave Rainford sent off late in the game. A goalless draw was secured in the away leg, but it wasn’t enough for a place in the final which Hampton lost to Hayes & Yeading United by the odd goal in five.

The re-building process has already begun, with seven players being released by King and his head coach Glenn Pennyfather, and it will be the club’s intention to match their progress off the pitch by building an improved squad to challenge for honours next season.

With league crowds over 1,000 for every match except one in 2008/09, the support is clear for a club which hopes to have its name etched on the championship trophy next time around.

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