This Saturday sees the Preston Grasshoppers face Darlington in the final league game of the season. The Grasshoppers sit eighth in the National Division Three North table with no chance of climbing the table. This has left some fans unhappy, but have the Grasshoppers actually had a poor season?
The Grasshoppers have made no progress from last season, actually finishing one place lower than last season. But the disgruntled Grasshoppers fans are dreaming of a return to the 06/07 season when they were unlucky to miss out on promotion coming third.
There is also some jealousy to their local rivals Fylde, this season’s Lancashire cup winners. Preston and Fylde both started the season with victories, but just as Fylde have progressed from this and now have the chance to finish third, the Grasshoppers have had a poor end to the season losing six of their last eight matches.
This poor form has undoubtedly cost the Grasshoppers with only 11 victories all season. The Grasshoppers away form has been dismal all season with only two victories recorded against the leagues bottom club Halifax and Bradford and Bingley. Without the clubs home record, nine wins from 13 they could have been relegated this season and fans are asking for changes to be made this summer.
With this seasons promotion hopes now over until next season, the fans will have to keep their faith in Alex Keay for two more seasons after he extended his contract until 2011. But with Keay’s future now settled with an extension of his contact, the fans want to see more experience players transferred into the club, with quality players such as Stephen Nutt of Fylde and Gavin Roberts of Caldy been asked for. These names maybe out of reach for the club, but fans would also be happy with quality youth players such as England U18 Lee Imiolek been loaned to the club for a year again.
Alex’s trust in youth has seen Lee Imiolek been the second youngest fielded player in the Division. But the clubs own youth system has seen Adam Crisp and Sean Hall, both 19, given the opportunity to gain invaluable playing experience this season and the average age of the team now standing at 20. This trust in youth could be the foundations for years to come but the fans are hungry for immediate success and the club’s already established star players bring a glimmer of hope for the 2009/10 season for the Grasshoppers in the shape of Darren Wilson and Marcus Jackson.
Marcus Jackson has scored a massive 181 points for the Grasshoppers this season, the sixth highest in the league and club captain Darren Wilson has had an inspirational season which was magnificently topped off with a call up to the Barbarian side to face England at Twickenham on May 3rd. But players such as Andrew Dockray and Russell Flynn have also had good seasons and it’s these players which the club will build for the future around.
The Grasshoppers fans have continued to follow their side both home and away despite poor away results the Grasshoppers actually have the best away support of the Division with over 325 fans following them over the North of the country to each and every game. But if next season follows the same pattern of results as this season finished with, it could see a sharp decline in the number of fans, despite there loyalty.
This season brought so much promise to Lightfoot Green and the Grasshopper fans, but ultimately delivered very little. The poor run of away defeats ultimately cost the loyal fans their National Division Two dream. But this season has delivered the foundations on which to progress next season, a young squad full of promise, established quality stars and hope. This season ends in Darlington on Saturday, but a victory could give next season promotion hopes the perfect start.
What do you think? Have the Grasshoppers had a poor season?
Leave yout opinions below
The Grasshoppers have made no progress from last season, actually finishing one place lower than last season. But the disgruntled Grasshoppers fans are dreaming of a return to the 06/07 season when they were unlucky to miss out on promotion coming third.
There is also some jealousy to their local rivals Fylde, this season’s Lancashire cup winners. Preston and Fylde both started the season with victories, but just as Fylde have progressed from this and now have the chance to finish third, the Grasshoppers have had a poor end to the season losing six of their last eight matches.
This poor form has undoubtedly cost the Grasshoppers with only 11 victories all season. The Grasshoppers away form has been dismal all season with only two victories recorded against the leagues bottom club Halifax and Bradford and Bingley. Without the clubs home record, nine wins from 13 they could have been relegated this season and fans are asking for changes to be made this summer.
With this seasons promotion hopes now over until next season, the fans will have to keep their faith in Alex Keay for two more seasons after he extended his contract until 2011. But with Keay’s future now settled with an extension of his contact, the fans want to see more experience players transferred into the club, with quality players such as Stephen Nutt of Fylde and Gavin Roberts of Caldy been asked for. These names maybe out of reach for the club, but fans would also be happy with quality youth players such as England U18 Lee Imiolek been loaned to the club for a year again.
Alex’s trust in youth has seen Lee Imiolek been the second youngest fielded player in the Division. But the clubs own youth system has seen Adam Crisp and Sean Hall, both 19, given the opportunity to gain invaluable playing experience this season and the average age of the team now standing at 20. This trust in youth could be the foundations for years to come but the fans are hungry for immediate success and the club’s already established star players bring a glimmer of hope for the 2009/10 season for the Grasshoppers in the shape of Darren Wilson and Marcus Jackson.
Marcus Jackson has scored a massive 181 points for the Grasshoppers this season, the sixth highest in the league and club captain Darren Wilson has had an inspirational season which was magnificently topped off with a call up to the Barbarian side to face England at Twickenham on May 3rd. But players such as Andrew Dockray and Russell Flynn have also had good seasons and it’s these players which the club will build for the future around.
The Grasshoppers fans have continued to follow their side both home and away despite poor away results the Grasshoppers actually have the best away support of the Division with over 325 fans following them over the North of the country to each and every game. But if next season follows the same pattern of results as this season finished with, it could see a sharp decline in the number of fans, despite there loyalty.
This season brought so much promise to Lightfoot Green and the Grasshopper fans, but ultimately delivered very little. The poor run of away defeats ultimately cost the loyal fans their National Division Two dream. But this season has delivered the foundations on which to progress next season, a young squad full of promise, established quality stars and hope. This season ends in Darlington on Saturday, but a victory could give next season promotion hopes the perfect start.
What do you think? Have the Grasshoppers had a poor season?
Leave yout opinions below
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