As many Imps are acutely aware the Blue Square Bet Premier should not be taken lightly. Grimsby, Luton Town, York, Mansfield and Wrexham will all testify as to how hard it is to return to the league.
We know there are some money clubs in there as well as some well supported sides. Over a million fans clicked through the BSP clubs turnstiles last season giving an average gate of 1867 ( L2 comparison 2,295,849 / ave 4166) . The top gate of 7,283 (excluding yesterdays 18,000 in Manchester) saw Luton take on Wimbledon whilst just 190 saw Hayes, the worst supported club by far, take on Eastbourne who have just seen Stephenson jump ship for Mansfield Town.
Anyone remember the 7-1 over Rochdale (some may still have the video)? Well be prepared for goals, goals, goals with 1549 for or conceded depending on your perspective. That is just under 3 per game from the 552 contests. Creepy Crawley kept the most clean sheets with 23, followed by Luton 22 and York and Wimbledon on 19. Stefan Oakes Tamworth kept just 3. Crawley also scored the most with 93 compared to Histon’s divisional low of 41. Eastbourne went down largely based on 104 goals they conceded along with Histon on 90. Kidderminster failed to score in just 6 games despite selling off the family silver to avoid going bust. Histon, surprise surprise, failed to score in 19 games.
There were some humdingers as well as hammerings. Grimsby beat Mansfield 7-2 and Gateshead went to the Dragons den and beat Wrexham by the same score. Dean Saunders Wrexham then turned things around to go on a seven match winning streak thanks largely to the same defence. Histon lost 29 games on the way to relegation, 13 on the bounce.
So all in all a fun division with all creatures and clubs great and small that brings the phrase clash of cultures to the world of football. We Imps will come to enjoy our place amongst it all, for sure.