Wonderboys boss admits defeat in the 'impossible dream'
If you had told Billy Whizz his team would be sitting 4th in 5.10 with 7 games to go, he would have shaked his head in disbelief, perhaps offering that yours should be checked out. Following 2 relegation battles, the Whizzers headed into Season 23 with some optimism, more hope than expectation, but buoyed by 6 wins in their last six games of the previous seasons. The feelings around Shitters Palace were rather different today however, despite the Wonderboys' position in the table, and this was encapsulated by Whizz's not too unpredictable statement that promotion was a step too far for his side this year.
A press room that was filled with smiles and laughter earlier in the season was as quiet as Shitters Palace on matchday, as a rather tired and fed up looking Whizz called time on the Wonderboys push for Division 4 football:
"The last couple of weeks have been really rough" he said. "For me, it's been the worst times since I've been here, which is unbelievable given the position we're in"
The irony in his statement was obvious to see, from a man who had seen his side bottom after one win in 10, and in the relegation zone with 4 games to go just a couple of seasons ago. Yet then, the Whizzers were the underdogs, and any points gained where just that - gained, rather than now, where every draw seems to be 2 points lost. While optimists would, correctly, claim that is a positive indicment of the progress the club has been making, the fans have had little to cheer about in recent weeks, other than the fact they aren't in a relegation battle.
"After such a good start, this place was buzzing. We were turning up, expecting to win, but working so hard to get the points. The atmosphere was great, and we were putting in so much work, so that if we did go up, we wouldn't get caught with out pants down in Division 4; that seems like a cruel joke now"
Just one win in eight league games has left the Wonderboys 7 points behind Shipley Juniors, and outside the top 3 for the first time since Round 6.
"Perhaps the most distressing thing is the fact we were turning up, and beating teams by 3 or 4 goals, we evend scored 6 against Dockys, yet we play the return leg, and get beat, or we're holding on to a draw. That much swing in a result just isn't right, yet its been happening consistently over the last few weeks. We've won once, and even then, we weren't great, the opposition just somehow managed to be worse than us. It's like we're a completely different side, and the confidence has been completely knocked out of us"
Whizz confirmed that he would pick youth players in the club's remaining games, though only in fixtures not involving teams not directly involved in the relegation or promotion battles - "I want to be fair" he said - giving fans to have a glimpse at some of the fans possible future stars, although the loss of fans in itself is another clear sign of the Wonderboys faded promotion challenge. A cruel joke indeed.