BetVictor Isthmian League- supporters predictions 2019/20: Bishop's Stortford

We asked supporters of our BetVictor Isthmian 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.

David Harris expects to end this season both blue and overjoyed, as he’s a fan of Bishop’s Stortford and sees them taking top spot.

1. What was your favourite moment of last season?

Stortford were on a 5 game winning streak towards the end of the season, making a last ditch run for play offs. We’d moved up from 12th to 7th and had 3 games left. Next was away to Lewes on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. It was a 3 hour train journey, and we headed off at 10am. We discovered the local pubs in the 25 C heat. We had about 50 fans there in the stands, chanting and singing. Went 1-0 up early on, limbs everywhere, tops off, and drinks spilt. We won 3-1 and our fans never stopped singing until around 30 minutes after the match finished, and then our club owner/manager bought all the fans a pint. The best away day of the season and looking forward to it again this time around.

Jamie making his 1,000 senior appearance the following game was also a big highlight.

2. And your worst moment?

We started the last day of the season in the play offs and had won our last 7 games. We were playing Carshalton away. We had the momentum and a great following. Conceded an early goal and it took the wind out of the players. Never really recovered and lost 2-1. Dropped out of play offs.

3. How will you do this season?

I think we should aim to win the league. Bookies make us quite big underdogs at 33/1, so that’s definitely worth some wonga.

Pre-season we’ve had some impressive results, and our fitness looks good. The combination of Jamie Cureton and Steve Smith as co-managers and that we’ve kept the bulk of the team from last season, is giving the fans a lot of optimism!

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

First game of the season against Bognor will be interesting, they’re quite a strong team to be playing first day of the season. We have Carshalton the following weekend, so it’s redemption time. Looking forward to visiting a few more stadiums and continuing the great away support we showed towards the end of the season.

5. What is your favourite away ground?

Everyone enjoys visiting Lewes, that’s a given.

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

Hornchurch seem to be a lot of people’s favourites this season. I think they’re bought some very good players so they’re definitely the ones to watch, but I’m hoping it’ll take them a few weeks to gel. Carshalton were strong last season so it could be between us and them for the title this season.

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

We have a pretty modern stadium, I’d definitely recommend giving it a visit. Plenty of parking so I’d recommend driving as it’s a 20-25 minute walk from the station.

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

Personally for me, as a younger fan, Reece Prestige probably has to be my favourite player. In our most successful season in recent times he scored goals against Forest Green and Northampton Town in a great Fa Cup run. He was also the club captain in this campaign where we potentially could have got promotion to the National League if it wasn’t for bottling being top at Christmas.

Dwight Gayle and Kyle Vassell are some pretty well known players who have played for the Blues in recent seasons. Gayle got 29 goals in one season for us in the conference north. Jamie Cureton has made a big difference since he came in and is loved by the fans.

9. Who will be in the top five at the end of the season?

Bishop’s Stortford, Carshalton Athletic, Worthing, Hornchurch, Haringey

Right, you've read David’s views, and our Premier Division predicted League table will appear on Saturday. If you'd like to represent your Step Four club (we’ve no time for any more Premier League predictions that aren’t already in the pipeline), then please send an email to townsendaround@gmail.com and we shall see what we can do!