Here it is, a day that at one stage looked like it might never happen, we will be kicking off the 2024/25 season in the National League - thanks to COSU who have rescued our club.
Our visitors for the season opener are York City, who finished last season just one point and one place above the relegation zone despite beating us home and away - although they were significantly helped in the game at their place by one of the worst refereeing performances I've ever seen (amidst stiff competition in this league!)
The Minstermen are now managed by Adam Hinshelwood, who joined them at the end of February this year from Worthing. They've been busy in the transfer market over the summer, including signing striker Ollie Pearce from his previous club (a player rumoured to be on our white board). Other signings are Right back Joe Felix (also from Worthing), highly rated young goalkeeper Harrison Male (Dorking), Centre Backs Darragh O'Connor (Morton) and Cameron John (Rochdale), Midfielders Ricky Aguiar (Swindon) and Alex Hunt (Grimsby) and finally our old player Ashley Nathaniel-Georgia (Maidenhead). It's likely to be a very different looking York side to the one we faced last season.
It sounds like their new players are taking time to gel as they have had mixed results in pre-season. They drew 3-3 at Spennymoor Town last Saturday, lost 2-0 at Garforth Town, drew 3-3 at Darlington but prior to these results had two 2-1 wins at home to Grimsby and away at Whitby Town plus a creditable 2-2 draw with Notts County.
In the euphoria of the takeover, let's not forget that the York fans carried out a bucket collection for our club in our hour of need and their Chairman Matt Uggla was also generous in putting his hand in his pocket. I hope therefore that they will get a warm welcome before the game.
We finished pre-season with a win at Chelmsford last Saturday which means our overall record this pre-season is: P6 W4 D1 L1 GF11 GA4 - against varying standards of opposition.
Looking at the squad, we still feel light in a few areas - particularly another keeper, an attacking midfielder and one more striker. Kev alluded to this too in his post-match interview last Saturday and said that they were working hard to bring some more players in. I've left some gaps in the poll to add more names if necessary.
SUEPA have Steve Phillips as their guest again on Saturday, I'm sure "inch" will get a good welcome again, although last time he came he milked it so much that he held up kick off!
Whatever happens on Saturday, it will not define our season. Those of you who remember the 2005-06 season which ended with the Shrimpers being crowned as League One Champions after Wayne Gray scored a late winner against Bristol City may fail to recall that the season kicked off in August at Roots Hall when Wayne Gray also scored our only goal, but in a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale.
Win, Lose or Draw let's keep some perspective, enjoy the ride, and be loud and proud again to be Shrimpers fans this season.
Place your starting XI and results predictions above, as usual.
Our visitors for the season opener are York City, who finished last season just one point and one place above the relegation zone despite beating us home and away - although they were significantly helped in the game at their place by one of the worst refereeing performances I've ever seen (amidst stiff competition in this league!)
The Minstermen are now managed by Adam Hinshelwood, who joined them at the end of February this year from Worthing. They've been busy in the transfer market over the summer, including signing striker Ollie Pearce from his previous club (a player rumoured to be on our white board). Other signings are Right back Joe Felix (also from Worthing), highly rated young goalkeeper Harrison Male (Dorking), Centre Backs Darragh O'Connor (Morton) and Cameron John (Rochdale), Midfielders Ricky Aguiar (Swindon) and Alex Hunt (Grimsby) and finally our old player Ashley Nathaniel-Georgia (Maidenhead). It's likely to be a very different looking York side to the one we faced last season.
It sounds like their new players are taking time to gel as they have had mixed results in pre-season. They drew 3-3 at Spennymoor Town last Saturday, lost 2-0 at Garforth Town, drew 3-3 at Darlington but prior to these results had two 2-1 wins at home to Grimsby and away at Whitby Town plus a creditable 2-2 draw with Notts County.
In the euphoria of the takeover, let's not forget that the York fans carried out a bucket collection for our club in our hour of need and their Chairman Matt Uggla was also generous in putting his hand in his pocket. I hope therefore that they will get a warm welcome before the game.
We finished pre-season with a win at Chelmsford last Saturday which means our overall record this pre-season is: P6 W4 D1 L1 GF11 GA4 - against varying standards of opposition.
Looking at the squad, we still feel light in a few areas - particularly another keeper, an attacking midfielder and one more striker. Kev alluded to this too in his post-match interview last Saturday and said that they were working hard to bring some more players in. I've left some gaps in the poll to add more names if necessary.
SUEPA have Steve Phillips as their guest again on Saturday, I'm sure "inch" will get a good welcome again, although last time he came he milked it so much that he held up kick off!
Whatever happens on Saturday, it will not define our season. Those of you who remember the 2005-06 season which ended with the Shrimpers being crowned as League One Champions after Wayne Gray scored a late winner against Bristol City may fail to recall that the season kicked off in August at Roots Hall when Wayne Gray also scored our only goal, but in a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale.
Win, Lose or Draw let's keep some perspective, enjoy the ride, and be loud and proud again to be Shrimpers fans this season.
Place your starting XI and results predictions above, as usual.
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just one pedant point, add the "S" to ollie's surname in the vote section. (Sorry!).
