2015/6

[piearce9]

It's great that the season has finished on a positive, with a settled squad and some great performances, not least the No.9 (remind me how close Stour were to playoffs again?). It's been a tough season in many ways, but I genuinely think the points tally and league finish far exceeded expectations, particularly when you look back at how far from competitive we were against Mickleover, Stamford and Sutton in the early weeks. Over the course of the season, John and team have rebuilt and remoulded the squad and I genuinely think that if we were to rock up in August with the same squad as last Saturday, we would be competitive from the off. Matt, Kev, and Rob are due a lot of credit too, as we've seen players come in and improve week-by-week, and this is presumably down to what happens away from matchdays. Crucially (and you get this from a settled squad) the players and fans have gained the connection again, and there's a team spirit in the air. I'll be renewing my season ticket and looking forward to next season.

A big thanks to all those good folk who've contributed time and effort to the cause this year. The media team, not least the exceptional Yeltz TV, are the best in this league (arguably at this level) and have done so much to promote the club's reputation. Hats off to the FOTG for their efforts too, I think you all do an invaluable job. I hope you all enjoy your summer break, see you next year.

(And, as a small postscript, has everyone seen those Hawaiian shirts doing the rounds in Dublin? Bragoli's is an absolute masterpiece.)

[DanielRolinson]

A big thanks to all those good folk who've contributed time and effort to the cause this year. The media team, not least the exceptional Yeltz TV, are the best in this league (arguably at this level) and have done so much to promote the club's reputation.

Appreciate the comments mate, thanks for your support throughout the season. Best at this level is praise indeed, but for the time being I'll take best in the league

[juanillo]

I agree that overall there are grounds for optimism. However, whether the core squad stays intact will remain to be seen. Non league is known for even less continuity than the main leagues.

The last couple of months saw an improvement in play and style and the really poor performances of Sutton, Barwell and Grantham seemed a distant memory.

I think our position reflected our level; never close enough to challenging the top teams but far too good for the bottom sides. We only managed 4 wins against teams above us, although the wins at Blyth and in the derby were highlights.

I think the management and fans had a tendency to 'big up' the opposition a bit too often in terms of ability and budget. However it turned out a satisfactory season. Let's hope to build next year and get a cup run under our belt as well.

[JohnC]

After a summer of disappointment with a lot of players leaving for whatever reasons.

Then some good CV's which failed to turn up on the pitch.

We end up with a reasonable finish. 13th on goal difference. so really one place behind the reasonably settled team from the season before. Oh and more points.

I once again Thank all on the pitch, the players, the management, coaches, physios and all the people behind the scenes who do so much on a match day and non-match days to make this club tick.

Said it before it does not just happen.

THANK YOU everyone. Enjoy the summer break and lets look forward to progressing further in 2016/2017.

Oh and anyone who needs a bit of exercise over the summer look out for the working parties.
Plenty to do and many hands make light work.

[RaidenYeltz]

I'd review the season as distinctly average, to poor. With a bright and positive ending. The last hand ful of games this season were generally enjoyable and you could sense the side gelling and coming together. It bodes well for next year, providing we keep hold of the core of the squad and add further quality.

I had hopes of a play off push last summer, expectations early on this season weren't met in results and peformances.

There were too many peformances like Mickleover, Sutton, Grantham and Nantwich. The football was boring and lacklustre.

I understand and appreciate factors such as a squad overhaul and players not performing as expected played a part in our form, especially early season - but don't most clubs face this?

However you have to credit the team of players & management (especially the loanees) for dragging us out of danger and to mid tabled security.

However therein lies the problem with loanees. They come in, have a positive impact, leave and you're left at square one. But the system is there to be used and we've used it excellently over the course of the season.

The last few games where results and peformances improved has given me renewed hope for next season, where again, I'd expect us to push on and have a run for the play offs (not necessarily finish top 5, but to be in contention for the season). We have no one to fear at this level.

Now, roll on a summer of cricket!

[RobYeltz]

It's great that the season has finished on a positive, with a settled squad and some great performances, not least the No.9 (remind me how close Stour were to playoffs again?). It's been a tough season in many ways, but I genuinely think the points tally and league finish far exceeded expectations, particularly when you look back at how far from competitive we were against Mickleover, Stamford and Sutton in the early weeks. Over the course of the season, John and team have rebuilt and remoulded the squad and I genuinely think that if we were to rock up in August with the same squad as last Saturday, we would be competitive from the off. Matt, Kev, and Rob are due a lot of credit too, as we've seen players come in and improve week-by-week, and this is presumably down to what happens away from matchdays. Crucially (and you get this from a settled squad) the players and fans have gained the connection again, and there's a team spirit in the air. I'll be renewing my season ticket and looking forward to next season.

A big thanks to all those good folk who've contributed time and effort to the cause this year. The media team, not least the exceptional Yeltz TV, are the best in this league (arguably at this level) and have done so much to promote the club's reputation. Hats off to the FOTG for their efforts too, I think you all do an invaluable job. I hope you all enjoy your summer break, see you next year.

(And, as a small postscript, has everyone seen those Hawaiian shirts doing the rounds in Dublin? Bragoli's is an absolute masterpiece.)

Many thanks for the mention mate. There are some great people involved with the FOTG, who have all worked hard to help the club move forwards this year or so. To have so many people in the monthly draw, helping out on a match day or being involved in working parties really does make a difference to the club. We've also done our bit also by helping out a number of local good causes too, which I feel is important for a community organisation like ourselves. I have plans for the FOTG to develop further in due course too and would value ALL supporters of Halesowen Town to contribute to it's growth. More about that at a later date though...

[dalevillain]

I agree with most that has been said on here. A decent season overall and a comfortable mid-table finish in the end is a very pleasing result.

It started off with the summer that saw us lose key players to the squad from the previous season, namely; Tilt, Tonks and Green - the latter two joining our dearest rivals from down the road which was particularly hard to take.

Replacing them was a bunch of individuals that on paper had decent CV's but most of them shamefully flopped, looked woefully out of sorts at this level, played some garbage football and appeared alienated from the fans as personalities - terrible performances that spring to mind include Mickleover Away, Stamford at home and Sutton Coldfield Away on Bank Holiday Monday in August.

At that time it was hard to see anything other than us losing our NPL status for the season and there was some harsh, but maybe fair given the circumstances at the time, criticism towards the management. Few felt maybe it was a time for a change as our manager had run out of ideas and and perceived that maybe he was being upstaged by his new assistant who has a decent track record at this level himself, nonetheless being a manager of us previously let's not forget.

We started to turn the corner however in the autumn, largely part due to the loan signings of Kiddy duo Reffell and Hales who were excellent for us, both chipping in with some vital goals and making a valuable contribution in helping us to the top half of the league, although we had played more games than anyone else during that time.

As those players left us, we seemed to go back on a winter slump which saw us go forever without a win which came to a head around mid February time where we had the debacle of Nantwich away where we forgot to bring our own kit, we lost 3-0 and were a laughing stock.

That miserable point seemed to spark a change and the signings of the likes of Kaiman Anderson and Daniel Sweeney helped to renew spirits between the players and fans alike, contributing to some great performances and victories that Halesowen Town fans could once again be proud of including the 1-0 win away at Blyth and of course, the 2-0 win at home on Easter Monday to 'them lot down the road.'

As mentioned the end of the season has helped to reinvigorate the fans passion which at times previously during the season was lacking and certainly had wained as seen in a drop of the attendances.

It is now paramount that the club build on this and despite his criticism in the early part of the season, fair play to John Hill to prove the doubters wrong and he certainly deserves another crack for next season, and hopefully for a few seasons to come!

Up the Yeltz!