Newly promoted Opponents

The Town have 5 'new' opponents in League fixtures this year with three club's promoted and two relegated from the Ryman Premier.

Here is some information on the newly promoted clubs:

VCD Athletic

VCD Athletic were formed in 1916 and joined senior football in the Kent League in 1997. They returned home to The Oakwood Sports ground in 2006 after several years of nomadic ground sharing with Thamesmead Town and Greenwich Borough.

They are the current champions of the Kent League Premier Division which gained them promotion to the Ryman for this season. They had a good run in the FA Cup last year beating Three Bridges, Croydon and Hythe Town before being beaten by East Thurrock United (away) 3-0. In the FA Vase they bowed out in the 4th round with a home defeat to Marske United 2-3.

The Vicker's are managed by Dean Frost.

Lowestoft Town

The Trawler Boys were formed in 1887 and play at Crown Meadow in the most easterly town in England on the Sunshine Coast of Suffolk. Mick Chapman and Ady Gallagher are joint managers.

They have prepared for the forthcoming Ryman campaign by signing Andrew Fisk and Adam Smith, both former products of the Norwich City Youth academy and Craig Bussens from AFC Sudbury.

They are champions of the Eastern Counties League, which is a very difficult and strongly competitive league. I can see the runner's up of the FA Vase 07/08 being right up in contention near the top of the league.

They were knocked out by Cambridge City in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round and lost out to Whitley Bay in the FA Vase Semi Final.

Their games against local rivals Kirkley & Pakefield last year drew crowds of 1523 (Home) and 1068 (Away).

Romford

The 'Boro' need no introduction to Town fans having played us in the Essex Senior League before our promotion. They won the Essex Senior League last year beating Enfield 1893 to the championship and currently ground share with Aveley.

A return home is hoped for in the near future with the club submitting planning for a community based ground on Westlands Playing Fields, London Road.

Last season they lost to Leyton 1-2 away in the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup and bowed out of the Vase at St Ives Town with the same scoreline.

Paul Martin is the current man in the dugout.