Bostik Supporters Preview 17/18: Leiston

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 Laurence Ball for Leiston.

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

Winning 2-4 at Dulwich Hamlet in August put down a marker. The team had settled quickly into a confident and fluent passing unit under new manager, Glenn Driver, and this resounding victory at one of the flair teams in the League sent a message out that Leiston were ready to punch above their weight. This was closely followed by a thumping 0-4 hammering of noisy neighbours, Needham Market. Joe Francis, in particular, turned on a sparkling performance here against a team headed by two former Leiston managers, one of who had had less than flattering words for that player the previous season.

2. And what was the worst moment?

There were several disappointing moments as the season petered out to a final winner-takes-all moment at Enfield on the last day of the season, where, despite everything, a play-off berth was nearly salvaged. Losing on penalties to Needham in an emotion-draining that finished 4-4 after extra-time in the Suffolk FA semi-final when we had looked far the better team for most of the game was another blow. However, as a further one-off, the FA Cup defeat at Westfields lingers. Arriving there in the role of comparative 'giants', we played neat and composed football against a combative team of non-stop triers. Leiston recovered from going one down to equalise fairly late on with a well-worked goal. However, Westfields's greater resolve saw them grab a late winner to dump us out of the competition within view of more lucrative and high-profile ties. The pitch invasion at the end by their supporters was galling and rubbed home just what an opportunity missed this was.

3. How will you do this season?

Despite the loss of impressive players such as Nico Muir-Merchant, Ollie Brown, Jake Hutchings and Ade Cole, and the departure of club stalwart, Gareth Heath to Needham Market, the club has continued to recruit well in an increasingly competitive market place; Billericay's spending power has made it harder for everyone. However, the acquisition of Kyle Hammond from Brightlingsea, and the signing of Chris Henderson, Robert Eagle and Dominic Docherty from Lowestoft will add to the scope and strength of last year's successful squad. The return of a hungrier Christy Finch will help the prolific Matt Blake whose signing of an extended contract is a huge coup. If he can continue to display the form of last season, I am hoping that the club will continue to threaten the play-off places and make it into the coveted top five as a sign of further progress and as reward for the board's continued excellent stewardship of this relatively small and faintly unglamorous outpost club.

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

Games against Needham Market and Lowestoft are always high stakes, and it would be good to get the better of the latter this year, who despite their relative decline, still seem to be able to pull out the stops against us on the day. It will also be good to try to burst Billericay's bubble, while Brightlingsea and Dorking will provide interesting new opposition, if only for the chance to visit Cobbett's micropub, in the latter case.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

Some of the old London grounds retain an old-world charm. Enfield's art-deco façade is one of the best, while the home-made bread and butter pudding on sale at Harrow Borough's tea hut is worth the trip, on its own. There is always a great atmosphere and good set of fans at Dulwich. Finally, Lowestoft's old ground is also a favourite, though the cold wind whipping off the North Sea can dampen anyone's ardor.

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

Due to our relative geographical isolation, it is hard to look past Needham Market and Lowestoft, though some of the Essex clubs always like to come up and throw their weight around. Therefore, I would add Thurrock and Billericay as teams I enjoy beating, if they are not, strictly-speaking, close rivals.

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

Try to have a look around the town and local Suffolk rural and coastal landscape before kick-off. Leiston has a couple of decent pubs. Seahawks restaurant does excellent fish and chips. The club bar is friendly and serves food and real ale. The club car park, though a decent size, can fill up for the 'more attractive' opposition. There is no railway station in Leiston; the nearest is at Saxmundham, four and a half miles away, with hourly services from Ipswich.

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

Many would say Gareth Heath, for his long-standing service to the club, but he departed during the summer under something of a cloud. Of the current playing staff, left-back, Seb Dunbar often looks to me as if he could play at a higher level.

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

Billericay Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Enfield Town, Leiston, Harlow Town