Bostik Supporters Preview 17/18: Hendon

We asked a supporter from each of our member clubs to answer the same series of questions as part of our preview of the new season. We also asked them to predict how their particular division would finish, from one to 24- and their answers will be revealed in a collection of Supporters Prediction Tables to be released the day before the big kick off.

Here are the answers of Matt Shotter, representing Hendon FC.

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

Survival on the last day.

2. And what was the worst moment?

Being 1-0 down at Folkestone away and looking like we were doomed to relegation.

3. How will you do this season?

Top ten, maybe even a sniff of the playoffs if things go really well.

4. Which matches are you most looking forward to- and why?

Folkestone home and away! Home as I am sponsoring the match and matchball! Away to go back to the scene of much joy last season.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

No surprise, Folkestone for the reasons above -and the train ride on HS1 to get down there! (Note- Matt works in the railway industry so this is a bit of a busman’s holiday!)

6. Who do you consider your biggest rivals- and why?

Enfield Town, Harrow Borough and Wingate & Finchley, because they are our most local rivals.

7. What advice would you give to an away supporter visiting you for the first time?

Get to the ground early if you are driving, as the car park fills up quickly. There is street parking nearby, however, but the roads are busy too.

8. Who is your favourite player (for your club) of all time- and why?

Dave Root. Long time Hendon goalkeeper, so good that I’d even put him ahead of the likes of Iain Dowie and Phil Gridelet, who went on to play professional football. Dave was extremely agile and one of the best one on one and shot stoppers I have ever seen. It was almost worth the entrance money just to see him keep goal, in the good times and the bad. The points he gained us when we didn't deserve them was a mark of how important he was to us. As they say these days, a good goalkeeper earns you ten or fifteen points a season, well that was Dave.

9. Finally, predict who will fill the top five positions at the end of the forthcoming season:

Dulwich Hamlet, Billericay Town, Tonbridge Angels, Margate, Wingate & Finchley.

Photograph by Suzy Wills, provided by Matt Shotter- and isn't it a fabulous image!