TOWN BOSS JOHNSON IS FEELING INVINCIBLE
FARNHAM Town boss Paul Johnson insists it is “highly unlikely” anyone will equal their “Invincibles” season any time soon – even though he ended the season in a hospital bed.
Johnson was due to leave hospital on Friday two weeks after he suffered a “million to one” injury to his hip while at home, a problem which required two operations.
Luckily, the memories of his side’s 38-match unbeaten Combined Counties League Premier Division South title-winning campaign have kept him going as he continues a course of antibiotics – a strange end to a sensational year for the Town gaffer.
“It came out of the blue, I can’t really work it out,” he said. “The doctors said it is very uncommon in someone of my age and health. I’ve spent two weeks in hospital and was told I’ve just been unbelievably unlucky.
“I doubled over in pain at home and couldn’t walk. Since then, mentally and physically I’ve not felt ill. It’s just the unbearable pain of the hip.
“I missed all the celebrations! But at the club’s presentation evening I might pop my head around the door.”
Johnson also received special dispensation from medical staff to attend Farnham’s Surrey Senior Cup final defeat by South Park last Wednesday, where he arrived on crutches and watched from the stands.
Speaking through the pain, he admitted he can’t see anyone rivalling the astonishing record his men set in the league as they won 35 of 38 games, finishing 29 points ahead of second-placed Jersey Bulls and reaching 108 points.
They are the only team in the top ten tiers of English football to go through the league season unbeaten.
He added: “It will be hard but you never know. There will be two or three clubs with good money next season. But I think it’s highly unlikely, especially the way we did it with just three draws and no losses.”
The truly amazing fact about their achievement is that it is actually the second time Johnson has gone through a whole league campaign unbeaten, having done so when in charge of Spelthorne Sports in the division below in 2014.
He admitted: “I just look at it that we achieved what we set out to do, which was winning the league. I did it before at Spelthorne and no one ever remembers that!
“It’s crazy and a proud record to have but while I’m still active as a manager, it’s all about winning trophies.”
With a number of Town’s players having already played Step 4 or higher, the rise into Isthmian South Central shouldn’t faze the Combined Counties champions.
And Johnson said: “We are in a position to bring in three or four by the end of next week which should raise a few eyebrows.
“We want promotion, whether that is automatic or through the playoffs, but the supporters have to realise we’ve been spoilt this year.”