A SPECIAL CLUB CAST IN STONE
ANY club that has had both Stuart Pearce and Vinnie Jones in their ranks has clearly got a bit about them. And Wealdstone’s return to Non-League’s top-flight is one that will be greatly enjoyed by those who recall them as one of the top clubs back in the day.
They were, of course, the first club to do the Non-League double of the Alliance Premier League (now National League) and FA Trophy in 1984-85.
But it wasn’t the start of better things to come. They were relegated in 1988 and worse followed. Selling their Lower Mead home was the start of a nomadic period which saw the Stones drop to Isthmian League Division Three.
Under the shrewd managership of Gordon Bartlett for more than two decades, they worked their way back to National League South before Dean Brennan took them back to the pinnacle in this bizarre season we’ll never forget.
It’s the culmination of a dream for many – to see the Stones back at the top. The supporters have had to be patient, it’s taken 32 years to return.
If you ask those with knowledge of the club about what makes it special, they’ll often refer back to those fans.
Former defender Fergus Moore, who had three spells with Stones, said: “It’s the adulation they give you when you do well, when you are part of something. “Ability-wise, you might not be the best but they won’t mind as long as you give your all for them.
“You have to be able to take the rough with the smooth. They are very passionate and want players like them.” A friend of mine is a lifelong QPR fan, but Wealdstone have become his second team in recent years. He also mentions their ‘passionate’ fans and says they can create a ‘fantastic’ atmosphere.
But will Stones be able to draw upon that fervent support next season in these coronavirus-affected times? If just a fraction of their fans are allowed into their Grosvenor Vale home, will that loss of atmosphere negate home advantage?
Of course, Wealdstone are now stepping up to join the big boys. Instead of being one of the bigger fishes in the pond, they are now set to go head to head with powerful former Football League clubs.
Being a part-time outfit in a predominantly full-time league is tough to cope with, too. Chorley found that out.
Hungry players
Brennan is going to have to pull out all the stops to put together a squad that can compete. If the Irishman’s recruitment was spot-on last year, it’s going to have to be even better this time around. Moore, though, has belief that Stones will be able to adapt to the step up in class. “When Boreham Wood first went up, people said they would struggle,” said the 48-year-old Edgware Town player-manager. “Maidenhead have stayed there, too, so why can’t Wealdstone? “Dean has done a great job – he got hungry players. I can’t see why they can’t succeed.” My QPR-supporting pal also believes Stones should have plenty of faith in Brennan, who led a title charge ‘out of the blue’ and played attractive football in the process. After iffy spells in charge of Billericay and Kingstonian, former Hemel Hempstead boss Brennan has revived his reputation in west London.
The fans who doubted him a year ago are fully on side. Now he’s going to have to show what he can do against the elite.
But while we wait for news of when next season will start, Stones can soak up the prospect of being back where their loyal supporters believe they rightfully belong.