SWANS GLIDING IN TO ADD NO.3
Harris hails his hat-trick heroes
SCOTT HARRIS insists ‘fashionable’ Walton & Hersham will not fear playing at Step 3 following a third successive promotion – and claimed he had already been inundated with players interested in signing for them this summer.
The Swans went up but had to do it the hard way with a 3-1 Isthmian South Central play-off final victory over Hanworth Villa last Sunday after dramatically handing the title to Basingstoke Town the previous weekend after conceding a last-ditch equaliser at Thatcham Town.
For the famous Surrey club, who were playing at Step 6 three seasons ago, it represents a huge return to their previous standard and it is not one which daunts Harris, who has experience of Step 3 from his time with now defunct neighbours Walton Casuals.
Harris’ men are waiting on confirmation of whether they will play in the Southern or Isthmian Premier next term but, either way, Harris is confident they will not be overawed.
“We have a fair bit of Step 3 experience and it’s not filling me with trepidation,” said the highly-rated Walton boss.
“There will be more travelling if it’s the Southern League but if you want to play a good level of football, you travel.
“I’m not really worried about a jump in standard at all – nearly all our players have played at that level for long periods and the squad will be quick to acclimatise I’m sure.
“We’re assuming we are going into the Southern League, and that’s not overly favourable to London-based players, but what we have now is that we can dangle the carrot of the level we will be playing at.
“We’re quite fashionable at the moment and I had 15 players reach out to me in the two or three days since we won promotion. Step 2 players are approaching us.
“We won’t struggle to find people but I really don’t think we need a massive amount of new players.”
Goals from Alex Kelly, Joe Hicks and John Gilbert saw the Swans come from a goal down to beat former boss Simon Haughney’s Villains in front of a near-capacity crowd of 2,095 at the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub.
And the club’s growing fanbase will have the chance to follow their side on YouTube in the 2023-24 campaign, as Harris revealed they have agreed to feature in Bunch of Amateurs’ latest documentary.
The YouTubers were present at last weekend’s final having documented Dorking Wanderers’ first season in the National League. They have previously worked with Surrey sides Charlwood and Holland Sports.
Harris added: “They’re going to follow us next seanow son. We’ve had overseas film crews before and the club’s profile is just growing and growing. The club get emails from all over the world from people asking for merchandise.”
For Harris now, though, there is a more pressing matter to attend to. “I really need a few days off, I need a rest,” he admits.
“I had a real lack of sleep towards the end of the season and need to refresh before king too much about the next one.”