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Blue Square Premier League 2008/09 Season

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The Blue Square Premier League

The Blue Square Premier League is the fifth tier of English football. The league is contested between the months of August and May the following year. 24 teams are involved and each year this therefore means that each club must play 46 league games (23 at home and 23 away).

In the 2008/09 season; two teams have come down from League 2 in the form of Mansfield and Wrexham, whilst four teams have been promoted from the Blue Square feeder divisions the Blue Square North and the Blue Square South. From the Blue Square South it was Lewes and Eastbourne Borough that were the two sides to achieve promotion, Lewes won the league whilst Eastbourne came up through the play-offs. Both sides are based in East Sussex and both will be hoping to survive this season in the Blue Square Premier. From the Blue Square North on the other hand it was Barrow and Kettering Town who made the upwards move to the Blue Square Premier. Barrow won the play-offs whilst Kettering Town gained automatic promotion with first position.

This page has been set up to mark the progress of the 2008/09 season in the Blue Square Premier and to ultimately find out which teams are relegated and which are the lucky two to gain promotion. Read on to find out information about the clubs in the league, all the latest Blue Square Premier news, and also to keep up with the latest league table/top goalscorers. Also feel free to have your say as to who you feel will win the Blue Square Premier league of 2008/09.

What You'll Find Here

  2. The Teams
  3. Blue Square Premier League Table
  4. Blue Square Premier League Top Five Goal Scorers
  5. Previous League Tables
  6. Who Do You Think Will Win the League?
  7. The Latest Blue Square Premier League News From Around the Web
  8. Who do you think will win the League? Have your say here!
  9. The Supporters' Guide to Non-league Football 2009
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The Teams

The following is a list of the teams involved in the Blue Square Premier League 2008/09 season.

Altrincham F.C.

Altrincham F.C. is the side that the Blue Square Premier league just can't seem to get rid of. Since being promoted from the Blue Square North in the 2004/05 season; Altrincham has three times been reprieved from facing relegation due to other teams pulling out of the league. Altrincham have finished the last three seasons 22nd, 21st, and once more 21st; three times technically relegated but all three times luckily saved.

So what does the 2008/09 season hold for Altrincham? Who knows, perhaps this time round the side can actually survive off its own merits however rather than having to rely on another team pulling out; that would be quite a nice achievement for them.

Barrow A.F.C.

Promoted from the Blue Square North through the play-offs in the 2007/08 season, Barrow-in-Furness will be looking to make their mark upon the Blue Square Premier League in the 2008/09 season, and what better way for them to start their campaign than with a 3-0 home win over full-time professionals Oxford United?!

Part-timers Barrow have a gutsy and determined team, always the sides work rate is absolutely excellent and it is this drive and determination that should give them to big things in the 2008/09 season. I definitely see the side avoiding relegation, and who knows; promotion could even be on the cards for this young Cumbrian team.

Burton Albion

Having made the play-offs last season with a top 5 finish; Burton Albion will once more be looking to reach the top 5 in the 2008/09 campaign. There are a number of excellent teams in the league this year, and with Mansfield and Wrexham having made the move down from the Football League; it will be a tight year and the top five places will most definitely be hard to come by.

The Brewers could well once more make the play-off cut, it won't be easy to replicate the form of last season however and finishing anywhere in the top half would really be something for Burton to be proud of given the quality of the competition. If Burton play to their absolute best this season then they could even top the table, I have a feeling that it's going to be a very close run campaign however and believe that few points will separate the lot at the very top of the table. Burton is most definitely a side to watch out for, who knows how the season may finish however.

Cambridge United

Much like Oxford; University capital Cambridge doesn't have much of a football team to speak of. The highest ranked club in Cambridge is that of Cambridge United in the Blue Square Premier; they're a good team for the league however and definitely have a good chance of promotion in 2008/09. If Cambridge don't get promoted then I feel that they'll almost definitely make the play-offs, if they don't then there's something seriously wrong here as they really are a very good team for the level.

Cambridge United most definitely have the potential thereto win the league, many teams do though and it's therefore not going to be easy for Cambridge to reach the top of the table and comfortably stay there. The Blue Square Premier League of 2008/09 will almost certainly be going right to the wire, and come the end of the season I can definitely see Cambridge being there or thereabouts at the top of the table.

Crawley Town

Crawley Town finished 15th in the league last season, the team isn't bad but certainly not one of the absolute best in the division. Mid-table will once more be a respectable finish if Crawley can manage it this season, anywhere above being relegated is a bonus really; I don't think Crawley will be going down but I don't think they'll do particularly well anyway.

All the best of luck to the Red Devils from Sussex; they're not quite as great as Manchester's Red Devils but they try their best nonetheless, bless them. The team has been around since 1896 and the sides home stadium of Broadfield has a capacity of just under 5000 (4996 to be precise).

Eastbourne Borough

Eastbourne made the step up to the Blue Square Premier League from the Blue Square South last season; the side was promoted through the play-offs and made the grade with fellow Sussex side Lewes. Unlike Lewes, Eastbourne have not lost the majority of their team however and will therefore have a much stronger chance of staying up this season than Lewes F.C. do.

Having come second in the Blue Square South last season I wouldn't rule Eastbourne out of a top half finish in the 2008/09 campaign; the potential is most definitely there and should the side play to the best of their ability then it could be quite a promising season for the Sussex seasiders. Expect moderately big things of Eastbourne Borough in the 2008/09 season in the Blue Square Premier.

Ebbsfleet United

Formerly known as Gravesend and Northfleet, Ebbsfleet finished 11th in the Blue Square Premier League in 2007/08 and will surely be looking to improve upon this in 2008/09. Having won the FA Trophy in the 2007/08 season; Ebbsfleet United is most definitely a team with potential and it could well be an excellent season for the Blue Square side from Kent.

In February 2008 the team was taken over by football website My Football Club and Ebbsfleet became the first ever club to be run by the website. The website has a 75% share of Ebbsfleet United Football Club and the future could well be bright for the Kentish side. The FA Trophy win of 2008 could well be a sign of excellent things to come from Ebbsfleet United and I'm sure that the side shall be eying promotion in the 2008/09 season.

Forest Green

In 2007/08 Forest Green Rovers ended up finishing in 8th place; it was great to see the side right up near the top of the table and the team was actually only 10 points outside of the play-offs which wasn't too bad a result at all.

After last season's success; Forest Green will once more be looking to finish as high as possible in 2007/08 and it another top 10 finish is achieved then that would be absolutely brilliant for the club. It won't be an easy season, there are a lot of top quality teams in the league this year and finishing anywhere near the top is always going to be difficult; I reckon Forest Green have another top 10 finish in them however and would love to see them up there in May, perhaps even battling it out for a place in the play-offs.

Grays Athletic

Grays had a reasonable season in the 2007/08 campaign and ended up finishing in 10th place. 10th is nothing to be ashamed of and the side shall now be hoping to improve upon last season's semi glories.

The team plays in Essex and in the 2008/09 season will be aiming to finish as high as possible, preferably attaining a play-off position. In 2006 the team won the FA Trophy so perhaps this will once more be their aim; to secure silverware once more and stand tall as the FA Trophy champions. There is some super strength to this Grays side and should the team play to its full potential then we can surely expect big things of Grays Athletic in 2008/09.

Histon F.C.

Histon finished 7th in the Blue Square Premier League last season, it was a great year for them and they'll be hoping that in 2008/09 they can once more attain some sort of a degree of success. I can't see the team finishing 7th or higher again; they might do but I just don't think the team is strong enough to do so for a second season running.

Histon should really be pleased with any sort of finish in the top half of the table, they did very well last season and they'll obviously be looking to improve on that and perhaps even make the play-offs - it won't be easy for them however and realistically speaking, anywhere in the top 12 would be brilliant for them.

Kettering Town

Kettering have got an incredibly experienced team at current and are yet another team that could well finish the season in the top 5; there's definitely the potential there to do so anyway, whether or not there's the confidence and strength of squad to allow this to happen however remains to be seen. I have high hopes for Kettering however and can see them having a very good 2008/09 season indeed.

Kettering won the Conference North last season and are coping well with the step up of leagues. They're a very big team; exactly what you expect a non-league side to look like and a very good team they are too. A second promotion running could well be on the cards for this Kettering side this season; only time shall tell.

Kidderminster Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers have got a great team in this 2008 season; they're not the best, quite a strong force nonetheless however and on their day could easily cause problems for anyone in this league. In such a tight league as the Blue Square Premier; every game is always going to be tough, Kidderminster Harriers make it all look easy at times though and that's how it's meant to be done.

Having finished 13th last season; the Harriers will be looking for a much better season than that this time round, and I feel that the chances of them having a better season are in fact supremely strong. They may not win the league, they may not even make the play-offs; come May 2009 however I do expect the side to be there or there abouts.

Lewes F.C.

Lewes won the Blue Square South last season, promoted with fellow East Sussex side Eastbourne Borough who made the move up through the play-offs. Money troubles have left Lewes in great difficulties however, the side is now completely different to what it was last year and 2008/09 is therefore not going to treat Lewes too kindly. Before the year began it was thought that Lewes would be the Blue Square whipping boys; the team that finished absolute bottom and beaten comprehensively by most.

It's not going to be an easy season for Lewes, they're currently managed by Kevin Keehan (not quite Kevin Keegan, but close) and will most definitely be hoping to survive this season in the Blue Square Premier. It won't be an easy year for Lewes, chances are that they won't quite make it and will once more return to the Blue Square South; they'll have a good crack at it though and I've love to see Lewes staying up come the end of the season.

Mansfield Town

Mansfield were relegated from the Football League along with Wrexham last season; it was a bad year for them and in 2008/09 they must therefore face life in the Blue Square Premier League. They're one of the better teams in the league, promotion is still not guaranteed for them however and it's most definitely going to be a tough tussle for the top five places come the end of the season.

Mansfield could see themselves promoted, it's definitely not a dead cert though and personally I wouldn't place my money on any team in this league. It's going to be tight and who knows which teams may or may not be promoted come the end of the season. Whoever thought Morecambe would win the play-offs the other year for instance? Any team that reaches the play-offs has a great chance of going up; 1 in 4 in fact, automatic promotion is a lot harder to achiever however and every team in this league will just be looking to finish as high up the table as possible.

Northwich Victoria

With the team having finished the season in 19th position last campaign; there is no doubt in my mind that the side will once more slump to a pretty poor finish in 2008/09. There's just no great depth of squad to the Northwich and whilst in the Blue Square Premier League I feel that the team will always struggle.

Northwich is by no means a giant of the Blue Square Premier league and I fear that unless some serious changes take place at the team in the not too distant future then it won't be long before this Northwich Victoria side is once more relegated down a level. Northwich can on occasion win some pretty crucial games; for the most part however playing Northwich is an easy match that most teams relish.

Oxford United

Oxford United had a brilliant run of form at the end of the 2007/08 season and ended up finishing in 9th place in what had otherwise been an incredibly unsuccessful season. The yellows had looked poor throughout much of the season and were for a while right on the edge of relegation; 9th was a fairly respectable finish for the club however and given the run of form at the end of the season big things were therefore expected coming into 2008/09.

Some astute summer signings and things looked to be brilliant for Oxford United in the 2008/09 campaign, the problem Oxford United faces however is that the squad is very thin and a few injuries/suspensions could well therefore leave the club in terrible trouble. The bookies ranked Oxford United to be one of the very favourites coming into the season, time will only tell as to where the Oxfordshire side shall finish the season however and whether or not promotion could well be on the cards still remains to be seen.

Oxford United's 2008/09 Season

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Rushden & Diamonds

Rushden were a league side up until a couple of seasons back, relegated with Oxford however both sides have remained in the Blue Square Premier League ever since and now find themselves present in this league for a third season running. Rushden & Diamonds finished in a fairly poor 16th last season, this year will be about making up for that sort of disappointment and trying to claw back a few places and move on up the table in 2008/09.

Rushden & Diamonds have got a decent enough team, they could well perform strongly this season; only time shall tell however and who knows what position the team may end the season in. Nene Park holds 6641 at full capacity, about average for the Blue Square Premier League and Rushden will no doubt be looking to fill it a few times in 2008/09.

Salisbury City

Salisbury City finished the season in 12th position last season; a great season for them and one which the team will not be looking to leap forward from. The 2008/09 season began well and at the start of the season Salisbury found themselves sitting comfortably in first position, where they'll finish the season still remains to be seen but I feel that this Salisbury side most definitely has an outside opportunity for promotion.

Keep an eye on this Salisbury side, they could well challenge for the title and if they do so then I certainly won't be too surprised. This is a good Salisbury team, one of the best in the league in fact and although the squad is quite small; confidence is strong and determination is an absolutely excellent factor of the Salisbury City game also.

Stevenage Borough

With big things expected of Stevenage Borough coming into the season; the team made a bit of a hash of things as the campaign began and only 2 points were achieved in the first five games. As the season started to progress however Steveneage came into their own a little and gradually began to show the potential that was expected of them before the season began.

Predicted/expected to win the Blue Square Premier League in the 2008/09 season, former Oxford player Eddie Anaclet is the side's star player and in 2007/08 an excellent 6th position was managed meaning that the team just missed out on a coveted play-off place. There's quality all around the Stevenage field and there's most definitely a powerful potential for Stevenage Borough in the 2008/09 season.

Torquay

Torquay United had a great campaign in 2007/08 and ended up finishing the season in 3rd position. Torquay United were brushed aside by Exeter in their play off semi-final encounter and also ended up losing in the FA Trophy final to Ebbsfleet. Torquay came close to league and cup glory, not quite close enough however and ultimately ended the season completely empty handed.

Coming into the 2008/09 season and I can't see Torquay doing at all well this year. The squad just isn't quite there and after coming so close and achieving nothing last season; morale will no doubt be incredibly low at Plainmoor. In 2004 the team was promoted to League 1, two relegations in just three seasons however and the side now finds itself out of the football league and in the Blue Square Premier League for a second season running. Torquay United will no doubt make it three next year as I see no way out whatsoever this year for the sunny seaside town (unless of course Torquay United get relegated which I find highly unlikely to happen). Mid-table mediocrity at best is my prediction.

Weymouth F.C.

Playing their home football at The Wessex Stadium, Weymouth is a Dorset based football side that finished the 2007/08 season in a rather embarrassing 18th place. Much lower and the side could well have been relegated; it's the bottom four that go down and Weymouth only finished three places outside of this last season.

The Terras will be hoping for a little more success in the 2008/09 campaign, it's not a bad side that Weymouth has here and if all players play to their full potential then Weymouth has a definite outside possibility of promotion. It's not going to be an easy season for Weymouth but the side is most definitely far better than the 18th position last season suggested.

Woking F.C.

Woking had a fairly poor season last campaign and ended up finishing the league in 17th position. This year Woking will be looking to improve upon this, their team is quite small however and a few injuries/suspensions could well leave this team incredibly open to a good thrashing. The quality is not particularly high here at Woking here either and this season will more than likely be quite a struggle.

It will not be an easy year for Woking, they'll be looking to improve upon last season's position but at the same time it isn't going to be made easy. Woking will always have to keep half an eye on the drop-zone this year; they may well not be too far above it come what May and if they're not careful Woking could in fact find themselves getting relegated.

Wrexham F.C.

Having been relegated from League 2 last season, Wrexham are one of the favoured teams to return right back there in the 2008/09 campaign. In the last campaign Wrexham finished the season absolute bottom in 24th position, in Summer 2009 Wrexham will be hoping to be back in League 2 however and once more battling it out in the fourth tier of English football.

Will Wrexham be making an instant return to League 2? Could be, it's a tough league the Blue Square Premier however and one in which any team can beat anyone at any given time. There's never a clear favourite and always there's an element of doubt in this league.

York City

York City had a poor season last campaign, they finished the year in 14th place having been involved in the play-offs along with Oxford United, Exeter City, and Morecambe the season before. York was knocked out by Morecombe and then Morecombe went on to achieve promotion with a win against Exeter in the finals.

After finishing in mid-table mediocrity last season, York City will this year be hoping to return to their form of 2006/07 and once more march up the table towards the much lasted after play-off places. York City has the potential to perform, it could be a strong season for the side or yet another of absolute disappointment; come May 2009 the season will be over and we shall then see.

Exeter Lifting Play-Off Trophy 2007/08 Season 

Blue Square Premier League Table

Team

GD

Pts


1. Kettering

10

32


2. Crawley

13

30


3. Cambridge

6

29


4. Histon

8

28


5. Torquay

7

28


6. Burton

5

28


7. Kidderminstr

7

27


8. Wrexham

7

24


9. Stevenage

-1

24


10. York

2

23


11. Weymouth

0

23


12. Rushden

4

22


13. Altrincham

-4

22


14. Mansfield

1

21


15. Barrow

-5

21


16. Ebbsfleet

4

20


17. Salisbury

-3

20


18. Oxford Utd

-2

19


19. Eastbourne

-10

17


20. Woking

-6

16


21. Forest Grn

-7

16


22. Northwich

-7

13


23. Grays

-10

12


24. Lewes

-19

11



Blue Square Premier League Top Five Goal Scorers

  1. James Constable (Oxford United) - 22
  2. Andy Mangan (Forest Green) - 21
  3. Steve Morison (Stevenage Borough) - 21
  4. Matthew Barnes-Homer (Kidderminster) - 19
  5. Charlie Griffin (Salisbury) - 19

Previous League Tables

Blue Square Premier League Table 2007/08
A look at the final league table from the 2007/2008 season in the Blue Square Premier League. The league was won by Aldershot Town and Exeter City was the team to join them in promotion through winning the Blue Square Premier League play-offs.
Blue Square Premier League Table 2006/07
How the Blue Square Premier League looked at the end of the 2006/2007 season. Dagenham & Redbridge were promoted as champions, Morecambe meanwhile progressed through the play-offs.

Who Do You Think Will Win the League?

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The Latest Blue Square Premier League News From Around the Web

Paddy McLaughlin, centre, joins in the celebrations during York City's ...
YORK City midfielder Paddy McLaughlin has insisted that being dropped for the Blue Square Bet Premier final against Luton Town did not tarnish an ?unbelievable? season for him. McLaughlin was a shock omission from Gary Mills' Wembley team against the ...
Eastleigh's central role is what lured me: Reason
Jai Reason insists the main reason he has left Braintree to join Eastleigh in the division below the Blue Square Bet Premier is to play in his preferred central midfield role. The 22-year-old agreed a two-year-deal with the Blue Square Bet South side ...
Kidderminster Harriers' James Vincent signs new deal
Kidderminster Harriers midfielder James Vincent has signed a new one-year deal with the Blue Square Bet Premier club. Vincent, 21, has scored three times in 30 appearances since signing from Stockport at the start of last season.
Mackreth targets promotion chase
The 20-year-old moves to the Moss Rose from Barrow, where he scored five goals in 44 Blue Square Bet Premier appearances last season. "I know there are some good players here who have been playing in League Two this season," Mackreth told the Silkmen's ...
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Who do you think will win the League? Have your say here!

  • cheech1981 Sep 23, 2011 @ 9:23 pm | delete
    never knew about this. what is the name of the tier right below the premier league? do they send guys down and up during the season kinda like how mlb does here?
  • Jordan Jan 18, 2009 @ 2:15 am | in reply to Neil | delete
    Thanks Neil , that idiot does'nt know what hes going on about we have the best squad in the BSP and we've got Tim Sills
  • francis bilton Jan 15, 2009 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    i want Manfield Town to win and have a good chance of winning
  • francis bilton Jan 15, 2009 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    i want Manfield Town to win and have a good chance of winning
  • Neil Dec 22, 2008 @ 9:29 am | delete
    "Coming into the 2008/09 season and I can't see Torquay doing at all well this year"

    Has the author eaten his hat yet?

    Yes, we are 10pts behind Burton but we had a 15 game unbeaten run in the BSP.......

    Torquay will be there or thereabouts again this year, last year we set off too fast and Aldershot were steady and in the end, romped home with the title, this year we are more measured and will come good
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The Supporters' Guide to Non-league Football 2009


The Supporters' Guide to Non-league Football
(Supporters' Guides)
(Supporters' Guides)


A fantastic guide for all those that follow non-league football.

Gives latest ticket prices, directions to grounds etc. - a great book to take on the road with you, and a fine resource for finding out more about non-league clubs.

by

RichLeigh

I've always been a follower of Non-League Football, and this is my look at the Blue Square Premier 2008/09 season. more »

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