Positive Town are aiming for the top
THE season has only just finished, but Hungerford Town are already looking to launch their bid for Southern League success in 2024/25.
The Crusaders just missed out on the Premier South playoffs after finishing eighth in their first season since being relegated from National League South.
But while Hungerford were disappointed not to make the end-of-season play-offs, they were in the running until the final week – unlike the three other clubs relegated with them from National League South.
Concord Rangers went down again from the Isthmian Premier Division, Cheshunt stayed up by the skin of their teeth and Dulwich finished 12th.
Now Crusaders’ sights are set on regaining National League status and acting chairman Cris Bowden has already put plans in motion to achieve that goal.
Manager Danny Robinson and skipper Matt Berry-Hargreaves both put pen to paper on one-year extensions to their contract last week, and the club are confident of retaining most of last season’s squad.
Bowden, who will stay on as acting chairman at least until the club’s annual meeting in the summer, said: “We had a very positive meeting looking at the season ahead and building a squad that can challenge for promotion, which is our aim next year.”
Bowden was delighted that Robinson has signed on for another year and said: “Everybody likes Danny – the players want to play for him and the fans love him.
“He is open, talks to everyone and is genuinely a good guy.
“He is the perfect match for this club and he buys into our plans for the future.”
Bowden added: “As acting chairman, I want to thank all the players, staff and volunteers who make this club run because without them we would not have a club.
“Whether it’s people working in the kitchen or putting the flags out or on the turnstiles, if it wasn’t for these volunteers the club wouldn't be around.”