Denmead chairman reflects on a debut Hampshire Premier League season of ‘tremendous success’

Chairman Howard Broad reflected on Denmead's first-ever season at Hampshire League level and beamed: It's been a tremendous success.
Denmead (blue) on the attack during a Hampshire Premier League game against Michelmersh. Picture: Keith WoodlandDenmead (blue) on the attack during a Hampshire Premier League game against Michelmersh. Picture: Keith Woodland
Denmead (blue) on the attack during a Hampshire Premier League game against Michelmersh. Picture: Keith Woodland

The campaign may have been drawn to a premature end for clubs below step three in the football pyramid because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet that has failed to dampen the mood for Broad.

Denmead last summer decided to make the step up from the Meon Valley Sunday League Premier Division following three successive title wins.

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And they have adjusted to life in Hampshire League Division 1 just fine.

When the curtain was brought down on the campaign, they were top of the table.

Second-placed Moneyfields Reserves were just three points off the pace with six games in hand, but Denmead were on course to finish in the top two and clinch possible promotion.

In addition, they reached the semi-finals of the HPL Cup and gave top flight heavyweights Bush Hill a few scares prior to only losing 1-0.

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Denmead also stunned three divisions higher AFC Portchester in the Portsmouth Senior Cup, winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw, and were due to face holders Moneyfields in the last eight.

The club’s promotion hopes will now have to be put on hold for at least a year, with the 2019/20 results expunged.

However, Broad insisted that would take nothing away from the progress made in the past nine months.

‘Our aim was to get up into that top two, bearing in mind Moneyfields Reserves were going to be the favourites and the strongest team in the league, which is proven by looking at their record,' he said.

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‘Our first season in that division has been a tremendous success after winning the Meon Valley League three years running.

‘It took us a little while to persuade the team to go up and take the next step, if you like.

‘For them to go straight up and be in that top two has been a challenge, but they’ve well and truly risen to it.

‘At certain points we were looking at playing in the Hampshire Premier next season, but that might have to wait a year now.

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‘But I’m sure with the team we’ve got, they’ll all stay together and we’ll be in this same position this time next year.

‘This season was the first in the Hampshire League, which is obviously a lot higher, but to be up the top of the league is testament to the management and the whole side.

‘I’d say about 70 per cent of the side have been together more than 10 years coming up through youth football and they’ve stuck together.

‘They’re a great squad.'

The FA have come under serious criticism from some non-league teams after null and voiding the season below National League levels.

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But rather than condemn the governing body, Broad instead feels the Premier League should have done more in the situation.

‘It was a very tough decision for the FA,' he admitted.

‘I don't think it’s a time to be critical of anyone, and I think they’ve made the right decision.

‘Personally, and it’s only a personal view, if the top tier in the Premier League had made a decision by now everyone else would have just fallen in line and accepted if they’re going to do it one way everyone would follow.

‘They’ve left it to the counties and the separate league to make their own mind up to a degree.

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‘It’s a shame that the Premier League haven’t set the standard, made a decision and everyone fall in behind that.

‘I think the FA have made the right decisions.

‘There will be a few clubs disappointed, and a few clubs will be happy they’re not going to get relegated.

'But bearing in mind the situation and what’s happening in the world, it puts football into perspective.'

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