EX-GULLS UPDATE
End of Season review for former United players by @ExGulls
After a little while away we’re back with a look back at the 2022/23 for our Ex-Gulls. For some they finished their seasons off with promotion, for others it was play-off heartbreak and even for some, they meet the same fate as this seasons Current-Gulls, relegation.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
We start off in the Championship where for Ashley Barnes, he secured his second league title with Burnley as they finished off the season with 101 points in Vincent Kompany’s first season in charge of the Clarets. The striker had his best season in front of goal since the 2018/19 season as well as making the most appearances in a relatively injury free campaign.
At the other end of the table, troubled Wigan Athletic have been relegated back to League 1 after only two seasons. Scott Smith who joined the Gulls in the early stages of the season didn’t have too much of a say in their relegation but did make his professional debut for the club in a 2-0 defeat at home against Swansea City. He also played for 3 minutes against Rotherham United on the final day of the season, the game finished 0-0.
LEAGUE ONE
Just down the road, Plymouth Argyle have ended their 13-year exodus from the Championship as they achieved promotion as League 1 title winners. Adam Randell, who has been one of the brightest talents to have had a loan spell at Plainmoor in recent years, featured 33 time for the Pilgrims scoring 3 goals against Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City and scoring the equaliser on the final day of the season away at Port Vale as Argyle secured the league title.
Also achieving promotion was Darren Moore at Sheffield Wednesday. Arguably one of the most remarkable play-off campaigns ever seen was achieved. After missing out on automatic promotion, it looked like the Owls’ heads had dropped. They were beaten 4-0 away at Peterborough United in the first leg, but the hard work and determination from the former defender shone as he guided Wednesday to take the second leg to penalties and beating Peterborough United. The trend from the EFL Play-Off Finals have been that they go to penalties, but League 1’s bucked the trend as Josh Windass scored a late winner to return Sheffield Wednesday to the Championship. The whole post-season campaign showed why Moore one of the most exciting managers in the EFL.
At the other end of the table, Forest Green Rovers stay in League 1 only lasted 1 season. The eco-club finished bottom of the table amassing 27 points, winning 6 games. Baily Cargill only featured 22 appearances and has already made the switch to Mansfield Town ahead of the 2023-24 season.
LEAGUE TWO
Leyton Orient were crowned champions of League 2 with 2022/23 loanee Stephen Duke-McKenna within their ranks. Unfortunately for the Duke, he suffered a serious injury early in the season and never established himself into the starting XI. He’s current with Guyana as they hope to qualify for the up-and-coming 2023 Gold Cup.
Finishing second and gaining promotion was Stevenage F.C. A remarkable rise from the Hertfordshire club, a few seasons ago they were reprieved from relegation to the National League at the last minute and under the leadership of Steve Evans will be playing in League 1 next season. It was also a remarkable season for Jamie Reid, the first season he’s achieved to score in double figures since leaving Plainmoor, he also scored at Villa Park as Stevenage provided one of the shocks of the F.A. Cup, sorry for mentioning this, Rachel!
The final automatic promotion spot was secured by Sam Sherring and Northampton Town. The Cobbles secured promotion on the final day of the season by beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0. Sherring featured 36 times scoring twice against, scoring the winner on the penultimate day of the season against Bradford City and the equaliser against eventually promoted Carlisle United in December.
Only two Ex-Gulls featured in the EFL League 2 Play-Off’s, and both were at Stockport County. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Joe Lewis are both on the books at County, but both haven’t been able to maintain a Starting XI spot. Lemonheigh-Evans came off the bench in the second period of extra time, scoring the opening penalty for Stockport County, only for Ryan Rydel to miss his spot kick which gave the advantage to Carlisle United who won the shoot-out 5-4 to gain promotion to League 1.
At the other end of the table, after two years in the Football League, Hartlepool United have returned to non-league football, being relegated alongside Rochdale A.F.C. Despite being relegated, Josh Umerah had a decent season for Hartlepool, scoring on 12 occasions, which was two times more than promoted Jamie Reid!
NATIONAL LEAGUE
In the National League, it’s been well documented that Wrexham A.F.C. have returned to the Football League after spending over a decade in non-league football. Despite all the big money signings made by the Welsh club, Luke Young has been a linchpin in their midfield. With all the changes made, he remained club captain and will be playing in the Football League next season.
Quite a few Ex-Gulls featured in the play-offs, in the eliminator games, the opening tie saw Tyrone Marsh and Josh Rees’ Boreham Wood beat local rivals Barnet F.C. 2-1 at the Hive. They progressed to play Notts County at Meadow Lane and were beaten 3-2 in extra time by a Jodi Jones’ goal despite leading 2-0 at the break! In the other semi-final, Chesterfield F.C. beat 10-man Bromley F.C. to set up a final at Wembley against Notts County.
Following the trend of nearly all the playoff games at Wembley this season, this one entered penalties as it finished 2-2 after extra time. County came out as winners as the play-off wound on Kyle Cameron and Aaron Nemane had healed and earned Notts County promotion. Frank Vincent was also a part of that squad but has been released since.
At the bottom of the league, joining the Gulls in National League South next season will be Yeovil Town. Their slow start to the season caught up with them as they fell down the table, and a heavy defeat away at Gateshead all but relegated the Glovers. Alex Fisher is staying on at Huish Park but Chiori Johnson has been released, Ryan Law who was also relegated with the Somerset club has been released by his parent club, Plymouth Argyle.
NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
In the Play-offs, Kidderminster Harriers have returned to the topflight of non-league after beating Brackley Town away at St. James Park. Former Torquay loanee, Ashley Hemmings scored a brace in the final as Harriers won 2-0. Himself and Krystian Pearce have already signed up for the new season.
It was a troubling season at the bottom for A.F.C. Telford United, cut a drift at the bottom of the table by 14 points to Bradford Park Avenue in 23rd and ended the season 18 points from safety. Not the season Byron Moore would’ve been hoping for.
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH
In the National League South, Ebbsfleet United ran away as winners, finishing the season 20 points clear of second place and Kent rivals Dartford F.C. Despite Dominic Poleon running away with the golden boot, Shaq Coulthirst chipped in with 5 goals as Fleet secured promotion. Elliott Romain was also on the books at the Kuflink Stadium but spent most of the season on loan at Eastbourne Borough and Hemel Hempstead Town, he’s now a free agent.
In the play-offs, Oxford City finished their best season with a resounding 4-0 win in the final against St. Albans City, scoring all 4 goals in the first half. Despite only coming on in the latter stages of the game, Klaidi Lolos had his best season in front of goal, scoring 16 times, the leagues joint 8th top scorer.
Unfortunately, for the travelling Yellow Army, they’ll be no trip to Champion Hill next season as Dulwich Hamlet were relegated on the final day of the season as they were beaten by Chippenham Town and Weymouth F.C. completed the greatest of all escapes. They spent 1 day out of the relegation zone during the 2022/23 season and that was the final day! Danny Mills hit double figures in goals but Hakan Heyrettin will rebuild the squad for their upcoming campaign in the Isthmian Premier League. Mills is already signed on for next season with discussions underway with Joe Felix and Cameron Thompson, Kalvin Kalala though has been released.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION
On the final day of the season, Tamworth F.C. snatched the league title of Coalville Town earning promotion to National League North, James Hurst has been since 2022 but has joined Jamie Ward at Ilkeston Town in a player/ coach role. At the other end of the table, relegation has been confirmed for James McQuilkin, Samir Nabi and Chay Tilt at Hednesford Town, the latter already joining Sporting Khalsa for next season, as well as for Rene Howe who returned to Bedford Town earlier on in the season.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION
Giving more credibility for the National League South West next season saw the two promoted sides from the South League South Division being from the West Country. Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. secured the title piping Bracknell Town to the automatic promotion spot. Scoring just under 20% of their goals were Scott Laird and Reuben Reid who have both signed on for the new season. The other promoted side was Truro City, overcoming Poole Town and Brackell Town in the play-offs, the golden glove winner James Hamon and the leagues’ 9th top scorer Dan Sullivan have signed on for the Cornish side ahead of the upcoming National League South season.
At the other end of the table, the other Ex-Gull goalkeepers in the league were relegated, despite his late heroics in the season, Marcin Brzozowski couldn’t prevent Hartley Wintney’s relegated, whilst Martin Horsell alongside, Darren Mullings and Lucas Tomlinson at Yate Town suffered the same result.
TOP SCORERS
In all competitions:
18 – Klaidi Lolos – Oxford City (National League South)
17 – Ruairi Keating – Cork City (League of Ireland First Divison)
16 – Adebayo Azeez – Welling United (National League South) and Ashley Hemmings – Kidderminster Harriers (National League North)
15 – Josh Umerah – Hartlepool United (EFL League 2)
14 – Jamie Reid – Stevenage F.C. (EFL League 2)
12 – Paul McCallum – Dagenham & Redbridge and Chesterfield F.C. (National League), Danny Mills – Dulwich Hamlet (National League South) and Dan Sullivan – Truro City (Southern League South Division)
11 – Rene Howe – Ware F.C. and Bedford Town (Southern League Division One Central and Southern League Central Division), Scott Laird – Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. Southern League South Division), John Marquis – Bristol Rovers (EFL League 1) and Reuben Reid– Weston-super-Mare A.F.C. Southern League South Division)
MOST CLEAN SHEETS
In all competitions:
19 – James Hamon – Truro City (Southern League South Division)
10 – Dan Lavercombe – F.C. United of Manchester (Northern Premier Divison)
8 – Marcin Brzozowski – Hendon F.C. and Hartley Wintney (Southern League South Division) and Martin Horsell – Yate Town (Southern League South Division)
2 – Lucas Covolan – Chesterfield F.C. (National League)
1 – Shaun MacDonald – Cheltenham Town (EFL League 2)
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Great article !!
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