Kings Langley F C were probably entitled to look forward to an enjoyable season of stability after the success of the previous campaign in which they achieved their highest position in the pyramid under a manager who had dramatically turned the season round. The reality proved to be anything but, as the Club experienced not one, but two managerial changes, the departure of the Chairman and the failure of the relaid pitch to live up to expectations of readiness and performance. However, these paled into insignificance with the advent of a fatal global pandemic that resulted in the season being abandoned in March.(or expunged according to the F A – sorry, but we won’t be erasing it from our records! It happened, it’s part of our memories and it’s reported here!)

But to begin at the beginning. A week after the season’s end, the Board and manager Steve Conroy were unable to agree a substantial proposed increase to the playing budget and with genuine regret on both sides, the outcome was a parting of the ways. The search for a successor began immediately, but was to take five weeks to reach a conclusion. Ex-Northwood manager Dean Barker was appointed by the middle of June and took charge for a series of friendlies to shape the playing staff for the coming campaign. The annual lateral movement of Clubs across the League was to affect Kings Langley for the first time as they found themselves moved across to the Southern League Premier Central. Embracing several teams around and north of Birmingham, as well as the likes of Lowestoft and Leiston on the east coast, it resulted in more travelling and more coaches, while lacking the appeal of the south coast visits of the Premier South.

It had become apparent that the extensive ground works on the pitch would not be ready after all for the start of the season and the Club had the unwanted headache of endeavouring to change the venues of several of the opening games and obtain the approval of the League. In the event, all the opponents contacted agreed to the changes except Hitchin Town and with the pitch still a week off readiness on that August Bank Holiday date, the Club were forced to postpone the fixture at the last minute and received a hefty fine from an uncompromising League.

Further disruption was caused when Jeremy Wilkins resigned as Chairman and Commercial Director, but the remaining three directors closed ranks to cover the roles and appointed to the Committee Richard Whitaker as Operations Manager, Greg Lee as Supporter Liaison Manager and Stewart Mitchell as Infrastructure Manager.

JULY
Without the benefit to the coffers of any high profile pre-season home friendlies, visits were made to Burnham, Hadley, Harpenden Town, Uxbridge, Marlow, AFC Dunstable, Amersham, Windsor and Barton Rovers, the Marlow fixture being a charity match for the brother of Kings Langley supporter Scott Robbins, who received life changing injuries in a recent accident.

Of the previous season’s successful team, Gary Connolly, Dean Hitchcock, Callum Adebiyi, Jorell Johnson, Stevie Ward, Mitchell Weiss, Josh Coldicott-Stevens, Louie Collier all re-signed, while Alex Tokarczyk and Rene Howe followed Steve Conway to his new appointment at Walton Casuals. Jacob Cook moved to Wealdstone and Charley O’Keefe signed for Hitchin Town.

Incoming players were Kyle Connolly from Hemel Hempstead Town, Kane Farrell from Biggleswade United, Roddy Collins from Hayes & Yeading, Max Hercules from Aylesbury, Eoin McKeown from Colchester United, Matty Campbell-Mhlope from Welwyn Garden City, Charlie Ruff from Wingate & Finchley, Harry Crawford from Hampton & Richmond and goalkeeper Melvin Minter from Whitehawk.

Our present shirt sponsors extended their package to include ground naming rights and a two year deal saw the ground named the Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

AUGUST
The season proper began at newly relegated Nuneaton Borough and resulted in Kings’ first opening day victory since promotion to the Southern League, as new manager Dean Barker got off to a flying start. There were six new signings making their debuts alongside the experienced spine of last season’s team and Kings took only twelve minutes to take the lead with a powerful Mitchell Weiss header. Both defences had had to rely on huge upfield clearances to beat a powerful wind and it seemed to be just one more when Callum Adebiyi launched the ball forward from his own half. But this one looked special from the moment it left his foot and it sailed majestically over the back-pedalling keeper and under the bar to become an early season contender for goal of the season. There was no way back for the home side and their woes were compounded when a poor back pass allowed substitute Harry Crawford to beat the keeper to the ball and steer home the third to complete a day to remember.

Two days later at newly promoted Peterborough Sports, Kings recovered from the shock of conceding within 50 seconds to go in at the break ahead with well worked goals by Kane Farrell and Eoin McKeown. The balance swung again in the second half with a Dion Sembe-Ferris equaliser and a thoroughly absorbing encounter ended with honours even.

The next trip was to Shakespeare’s picturesque birthplace for a renewal of rivalries with Stratford Town. The encounter contained an element of farce as the Town conceded three goals from one-on-one situations, while Kings were similarly vulnerable to three set pieces. Langley made another poor start going behind to a close range strike, but once again turned the game around with two goals in twelve minutes from Matty Campbell-Mhlope and Eoin McKeown. The visiting defence then demonstrated that they could be just as inept, conceding a simple equaliser on 26 minutes. Kings looked to be taking control in the second half and another through ball gave McKeown space to notch his second, but despite Langley creating an incredible 23 goalscoring opportunities, two points were dropped to a scrambled last minute equaliser.

For the visit to Banbury United, Kings were boosted by the much heralded signing of former Watford favourite Lloyd Doyley and all his experience from his 443 appearances for the Hornets was in evidence as, with Callum Adebiyi, he effectively muzzled the threat of Banbury’s talisman Ricky Johnson and prolific ex-Hereford striker John Mills. Matty Campbell-Mhlope scored either side of the break and although Banbury pulled one back late on, Kings held on for a well-earned victory.

The bid to take points from the fifth consecutive away game ended in failure, but once again Kings were the better side, but only had themselves to blame for spurning at least three golden opportunities to wrap up the points. Mitchell Weiss won a three way chase with accompanying defender and advancing goalkeeper to give Kings an early lead and with Charlie Ruff supplying a range of intuitive passing from the centre of midfield, Kings looked set to build on that, but Dominic Brown-Hill got them back into the game with a surprise goal thirteen minutes later that deceived the defence. The long ball was now dominating the second half, but with further missed chances, the feeling grew that Kings would be made to pay for their profligacy. So it proved, when the long throw from Cain Thomas that had troubled Langley all afternoon, was converted by Brady Hickey and when Barwell broke to round Melvin Minter in the third minute of time added on, it was to rub salt into the wound and give a flattering scoreline.

SEPTEMBER
The magic of the F A Cup saw a 300+ crowd welcome Kings home at last for the visit of Isthmian Division 1 side Barking. Mitchell Weiss was felled in the box and Charlie Ruff gave the home side an interval lead, before turning provider for a glancing header from Eoin McKeown to double the advantage A fine individual goal by Johnny Ashman brought Barking back into the game, but Max Hercules put the result beyond doubt with a polished finish.

The much maligned League Cup took Kings back on the road again against Division 1 Biggleswade and a gritty encounter spared the crowd the spectre of extra time when Charlie Ruff was again on target from the spot with a late penalty.

The first home League game of the season proved to be a reality check for Kings, who having arguably been the better side in each of their five away games, came up against a powerful Hednesford Town, whose minimum height requirement seemed to be well in excess of six foot. A superb penalty save by Melvin Minter kept Kings in the game, but five minutes into the second half the Pitmen’s power told with the ball forced home in a goalmouth melee. It was no surprise when they extended that lead and although Kings laboured until the end, they were second best on the day.

Three days later the journey to St Ives Town saw bad luck and poor finishing produce a poor result as the bottom club stole the points after Charlie Ruff had put the visitors ahead. An own goal and a sucker punch from a rare attack gave the Ives their first win of the season.

That was to prove the last match in charge for Dean Barker as his resignation was accepted at a meeting with the Board the following evening. There had been some discord behind the scenes at the apparent sidelining of the majority of the longer serving players, resulting in three contracted players being out on loan as the managerial intent seemed to be one of a complete changing of the guard. The retinue of assistants, coaches and physios went with him, with the exception of Ryan Jackett, who declared himself ready to take temporary charge for the important F A Cup tie against Folkestone Invicta that was just three days away.

Folkestone Invicta were currently topping their corresponding Premier League (Isthmian) and were unbeaten, but Kings claimed a comprehensive victory, leading by a rare Lloyd Doyley goal at the break and going on to wrap it up with a goal by Mitchell Weiss, before substitutes Matty Campbell-Mhlope and Charlie Ruff completed the scoring in the last few minutes. On reflection, there was almost an inevitability about the way Kings performed. Parting company with your manager sixty eight hours prior to one of the biggest matches in the Club’s history may not be seen as the ideal preparation, but it was apparent from the very first minute that the players were giving everything for Ryan Jackett, who made history as the youngest manager to appear at this stage of the F A Cup.

Kings emerged as victors for the first time over Hitchin Town in a tetchy Hertfordshire derby the following Tuesday with Max Hercules and Harry Crawford justifying the Interim Manager’s selection with a goal apiece. The Canaries pulled one back, but on-loan Charlie Pattison’s immediate reply kept the bandwagon rolling.

But The relentless pressure of two games a week and the roller coaster of the last ten days finally told on Kings as they fell to a home defeat against a Stourbridge team who looked more than capable of going one better than last season’s play-offs. A soft penalty put the visitors ahead, but Gary Connolly swept home an equaliser and a long throw was responsible for putting the Glassboys ahead again – all within five minutes! Two late goals gave a harsh 1-4 scoreline, before a somewhat incidental exit from the League Cup at the hands of AFC Dunstable, where Kings made six temporary signings with Saturday’s 3rd Qualifying Round of the F A Cup on their minds.

OCTOBER
Former Watford F C Director of Youth Football, Chris Cummins had been appointed First Team Manager two days prior to the tie, with Ryan Jackett retained as Coach and there was another large crowd for the visit of Corinthian-Casuals. Mitchell Weiss showed pace and power in a robust encounter to give Kings a first half lead and then doubled the advantage with a classic volley, before a Roddy Collins’ header got the new regime off to the perfect start.

In September 1949, two youngsters were part of a 500 plus crowd at Home Park, Kings Langley to see their local village team take on the famous amateurs of Corinthian-Casuals in The FA Amateur Cup, resulting in a not unexpected 3-1 victory for the visitors. Home Park has long since been replaced by the houses of Roman Gardens and the Cup has morphed into the FA Trophy, but those two gentlemen were present to see Kings Langley finally gain revenge after 70 years!.

A turbulent period seemed to have been put firmly behind Kings when Jorell Johnson, Stevie Ward and Louie Collier all returned from loan spells to face Rushall Olympic in the League. Olympic were currently topping the League, but they had no answer to a scintillating performance of interpassing and tactical football that saw Kings race into a 3-0 interval lead with goals by Gary Connolly, Stevie Ward (pen) and Josh Coldicott-Stevens and cap it off with a last minute superb strike by eighteen year old Louie Collier.

So to arguably the biggest game in Kings Langley’s history when they travelled to National League side Maidstone United for a place in the First Round Proper of the F A Cup. For the first forty five minutes Kings not only held their illustrious rivals, but were the better team, created the better chances and had the ball in the net, only to be ruled marginally offside. But when Maidstone netted twice in the space of five minutes early in the second half, the game slipped from Langley’s grasp and a penalty at either end in the dying minutes was incidental in completing a 4-1 scoreline. So the journey came to an end, but the travelling fans, who made up a mere 10% of a crowd of nearly 1,500, were magnificent in support of players who have given everything in an historic cup run, which will be remembered for a long time to come.

It was down to earth with a bump as Kings entertained lowly Leiston under lights the following Tuesday. Ahead through an early Stevie Ward glancing header, they suffered from a Cup hangover and an error strewn performance left the way open for an equaliser and a late winner to complete the mugging.

It was back to cup action again for the following match with a retracement of the previous week’s journey to Kent as Langley took on Phoenix Sports in the F A Trophy. In an incident packed match that had the small crowd on the edge of their seats throughout, Kings emerged winners 5-3 with goals from Mitchell Weiss (2), Kane Farrell, Louis Collier and Max Hercules to progress to the next round, despite a welter of injuries.

NOVEMBER
Back on League duty, Redditch United were dispatched on their ground with a clinical 2-0 victory, Both sides were in the wrong part of the table and it was a cagey seventy five minutes before Louie Collier, staking his claim for the number 10 shirt, combined with Mitchell Weiss for the latter to slot home and the roles were reversed in the final minute.
Salisbury number 9 Toby Holmes produced two clinical strikes to end Kings’ Trophy hopes and their unbeaten hold over the Whites, while his opposite number Mitchell Weiss found that his contender for goal of the month was not enough in response. With injuries and a suspension ruling out seven key players, Kings had signed Casey Linsell from Harpenden Town and Alex Anderson from Hitchin Town and both made their first starts. With little to choose between the teams, Salisbury just had the edge with a large crowd behind them, despite Kings throwing everything at them in the closing minutes.

That 2-1 scoreline reared its head again three days later as Kings were forced to make the six hour round trip to Lowestoft on a Tuesday night, the original Saturday fixture being postponed due to King’s cup successes! Stevie Ward had put travel-weary Kings in front, but two late goals by the hosts snatched the points away.

With a lengthy injury list, a fifth consecutive away trip to table topping Tamworth was always going to be a tough ask, but Kings battled it out to the end, when a late second goal by the home side didn’t reflect the balance of play.

A lift to spirits was given when former Hemel Hempstead Town skipper Jordan Parkes signed for Kings Langley as player coach during the week and he made an immediate impact against Needham Market with two stunning goals, the second of which rescued a point for Kings in time added on in the battle of the village sides. He took just six minutes to curl a shot into the corner of the net from outside the box, but the Marketmen worked their way back and equalised on the cusp of halftime. For all their good work, Kings were stunned when the visitors got their noses in front and went into time added staring into the face of an unjust result and a fourth defeat. Enter the saviour – as Jordan Parkes received a throw in, changed feet and unleashed a 25 yard rocket through a crowded box and into the net for a hard earned point.

Another cold, wet midweek trip, this time to Coalville Town was a case of deja-vu as Kings went down by three goals to nil, having had to play half the match with ten men after the dismissal of Kyle Connolly for two yellows.

DECEMBER
It got no better at Bromsgrove Sporting a week later with the title challengers awarded two penalties by an obliging referee and two further goals being only answered by a Mitchell Weiss consolation.

One point from the last five matches and sixteenth position was hardly the start to the new regime that had been hoped for, but Chris Cummins had been remodelling his squad and like last season, sunshine was just around the corner. Several of the previous manager’s signings soon followed him through the exit, namely Charlie Ruff back to Wingate & Finchley, Eoin McKeown to Walton Casuals, Matty Campbell-Mhlope to Stratford Town and Kane Farrell to Wingate & Finchley. Charlie Pattison’s loan expired and Max Hercules moved to Berkhamsted in an exchange deal with Saul Williams, while long serving Josh Coldicott-Stevens’ contract was cancelled by mutual consent to allow a move to Hitchin Town.

In contrast, Chris brought in the aforementioned Jordan Parkes, Saul Williams, Alex Anderson and Casey Linsell and had Dean Hitchcock back after a long injury.

It all clicked into place with the visit of old foes, AFC Rushden & Diamonds on the first Saturday of the month. Manager Chris Cummins was able to welcome several key players back from injury and suspension and an intriguing, closely matched and hard fought contest ended with Kings getting back to winning ways thanks to a Jordan Parkes strike twelve minutes from time.

That the new talisman was unavailable due to a previous commitment for the next match did not seem to affect the rest of the team as they travelled to high-flying Stourbridge, gave them a goal start and played them off the park in front of a large crowd with goals from Saul Williams, Stevie Ward and Casey Linsell.

The year was ended on a wet, cold Boxing Day afternoon with a home defeat by a single goal to a resurgent Royston Town, who had steadily climbed the table to third and were in the latter stages of the F A Cup and the Trophy. A dour game, dominated by conditions and defences saw the Crows take a tenth minute lead and condemned Kings to chase the game for the rest of the encounter.

JANUARY
It was disappointing, but was to prove a prelude to a superb unbeaten run that would last until the unexpected termination of the season ten weeks later. .
Kings travelled to Hitchin Town for the New Year’s Day encounter and with a goal-less draw looking the likely result, former Watford favourite Lloyd Doyley popped up in the fourth minute of time added on to register his second goal for the Kings and secure all three points.

Nuneaton Borough were the visitors the following Saturday and a goal in each half by Stevie Ward and Saul Williams ensured a notable double over a side anxious to bounce back after last season’s relegation from the National League. With the debut of ex-Watford striker Will Hoskins and the return of Harry Crawford, the bench had a more experienced look than of late and Chris Cummins fielded an unchanged starting line-up for the third game in succession. Melvin Minter’s penalty save laid the foundation and a vociferous Boro’ did themselves no favours, receiving a second half red for continuous dissent.

A midweek County Cup tie at home to Baldock Town saw Chris Cummins give chances to several squad players, and starts for Will Hoskins and Harry Crawford. Hoskins put Kings ahead, but a determined Baldock Town side took it to penalties with a last minute equaliser, only to bow out 4-3 in the shoot-out.

Third placed Peterborough Sports were the next visitors and Kings came back from a two goal deficit to grab a lifeline with seven minutes to go when Harry Crawford scored after Mitchell Weiss had hit the post and then have Jordan Parkes convert a penalty in the sixth minute of added time, salvaging a point in a highly entertaining game that saw two in-form sides deservedly share the spoils.

A Harry Crawford hat-trick helped resurgent Kings Langley to a pulsating win over table topping Bromsgrove Sporting, ending the Rouslers’ ten game unbeaten run and easing the memory of a midweek defeat at Bromsgrove on a cold night in early December. It was also the first hat trick by a Kings Langley player since December 2018, when Mitchell Weiss notched a trio in a 3-0 home victory over Gosport Borough.

Kings continued their impressive New Year’s unbeaten run against a Stratford Town side currently placed too close to the bottom three for their own comfort, but they were made to work hard for this win and ultimately it was a first half goal by Will Hoskins that settled the afternoon’s performance. Kynan Isaac was Stratford’s sole survivor from the matchday squad when these two teams last met in mid-August.

There was to be constant uncertainty during February due to the appallingly wet weather, which caused three postponements in the month, while the emerging strike force of Crawford and Hoskins finally persuaded former Under 18 prodigy Louie Collier that serious game time lay elsewhere and the Club reluctantly cancelled his contract at his request. As one door closed, another opened as his former Under 18 team-mate Edu Toiny-Pendred signed after returning from America and was to have an impact on the following game.

FEBRUARY
Long after Christmas, Kings Langley and Barwell took it upon themselves to stage their own exchange of presents in a somewhat strange encounter. Kings could claim, with some justification, that they dominated the proceedings but conceded a bizarre own goal after half an hour and spent the rest of the match trying to beat Cian Tyler in the Barwell goal, succeeding only in the last minute when his own defender steered an Edu cross past the outstanding 17 year old keeper, on loan from Coventry City and playing only his second match for the Canaries.

Midweek visitors Biggleswade Town went into an early lead with a stunning volley from ex-King Matt Ball, but Kings made the perfect reply 41 seconds later when twelve passes from the restart finished with Kyle Connolly driving the ball home. It was left to Jordan Parkes to score the Kings winner twelve minutes from the end with an equally stunning free kick from all of thirty yards. The icing on the cake was the news that Kings had won the division’s Team of the Month Award for January.

After seven consecutive home games, it was on the road again at last. Hednesford Town were dispatched with a brace from Stevie Ward and one from Jordan Parkes in the first half before a consolation for the Pitmen and despite injuries to Roddy Collins and Harry Crawford, Langley managed the second half well to coast to a comfortable win.

There followed a fortnight’s inactivity due to the aforementioned postponements, but it did not disrupt the flow and cub captain Gary Connolly, back after a two month injury, was drafted into midfield and scored the only goal of the game with a thirty yard strike at Rushall Olympic to complete the double over the play-off chasers and make it seven wins and two draws out of nine.

Langley advanced to the semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup by beating Stevenage on penalties after a goal-less draw on bleak, cold, wet night at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium as February drew to a close. Melvin Minter had saved a penalty during the match and he replicated the feat on the outset of the shoot-out to put Kings in the driving seat, before Jordan Parkes, Will Hoskins, Gary Connolly and Edu Toiny-Pendred made no mistake to send Kings through.

MARCH
As February turned to March, it made little difference to the weather and two further home matches were postponed, before Langley travelled to the east coast and continued their rampant League form with a 4-0 demolition of Leiston. It was sweet revenge for the home defeat earlier in the season and took the undefeated League run in 2020 to an impressive 10 wins and two draws in 12 games. Will Hoskins intercepted a back pass to put Kings on their way, but it was with the second half introduction of new signing, former Watford midfielder Matty Wichelow, that Kings demonstrated their class and eased to a comfortable result.

Well taken goals by Jordan Parkes, Matty Wichelow and Stevie Ward on the end of flowing moves demonstrated a side that was brimming with confidence, had a settled team and powerful bench, led by a popular and astute manager and were three points outside the play off positions with two games in hand. After seemingly overcoming the problems of another turbulent season, what could possibly go wrong?

Hard work by the groundstaff enabled the Herts Cup semi-final home tie to go ahead against St Albans, with both sides at virtual full strength. The award of a somewhat dubious penalty in the first half saw Kings chasing the game and the Saints booked their place in a final with Hemel Hempstead Town with a late clincher.

None of the players, officials and supporters leaving the ground that night on Tuesday, 10th March could have foreseen that they would not be returning this season. Three days later football was cancelled until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak and a week later the season was expunged as a mounting pandemic swept the globe.

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