Bostik Supporters Predictions 18/19: Phoenix Sports

We asked supporters of our Bostik League clubs to preview the new season, reflect on the old and predict the final outcome. Their predicted 1-20 (or 22) will be worked into a final table which you will see just before the big kick off.

We’re off to Phoenix Sports to get the views of home media guru Dean Sawyer, who is rather confident of supremacy over the noisy neighbours!

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

Near the start of the Season we had a week where we gained nice cup victories in the FA Cup at Steyning and Kent Cup on penalties at VCD Athletic. But better than that for me was seeing some of the young Academy players get game time with us. We have a great youth set-up here and it really shows that our pathway to the First Team works when some of the lads get to progress within our club. At Phoenix we are also proud of the part we play when players leave us and work their way up the Pyramid and into the League. Christie Patterson and Chinedu Mackenzie are former players making strides upwards and Jack Barham played the first half of the last campaign with us and has now got his dream move into the League.

2. And your worst moment?

In our home League Derby against VCD Athletic we decided to play our worst game of the Season. They decided to play their best game and as a result we lost 3-0. It was a very convincing defeat and their Manager Keith will not let us forget that one.

3. How will you do this season?

It is an interesting one as it is a much-changed Division with new teams to play and many old rivals moving on. Last Season we finished around mid-table and something similar again would not be a bad result. However, we have kept a lot of the squad and I feel we have a great mix of experience and youth at the club now. If we start well and gather momentum a Play-Off place would not be a ridiculous shout so I am going to aim for that!

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

I’m really looking forward to visiting the new boys in the Division and seeing their facilities. We have four new sides, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Sevenoaks and Whitstable Town. All did really well last season to earn their place here and it will be good to see what they have to offer.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

All at the club seem to enjoy the Guernsey away trip! They are a great club who look after their visitors very well! It takes a while to recover from that one.

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

That is an easy one. VCD Athletic are only based about 100m from our ground and we have a great little rivalry going on with them. We play them on Boxing and New Years Day this season- and they are sure to be cracking games full of passion and banter. Fortunately we are much better than them, and excluding that one-off match last Season we usually get local bragging rights!

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

Come and say hello and have a pint with us. We are a very friendly club and all members would love to hear stories from your own team over a pint in the bar.

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

We have some great players and club stalwarts in our current side like Steve Phillips and Ashley Probets but our all-time legend would be Lennie Carnell. Lennie played for the First Team years and years ago in the old Spartan League. He played for our reserves and was a founder member of our Veterans side and continued playing into his 60's! Lennie recently became Club President. A true Phoenix Sports Man.

9. Who will be in the top five at the end of the season?
Hythe Town, Cray Wanderers, Ashford United, Whyteleafe, Phoenix Sports