A new era begins for King’s Lynn Town Football Club this weekend when they host AFC Telford United at the newly rebranded Docherty Walks Stadium in their opening National League North fixture of the season.
Since the Linnets last kicked a ball in competitive action the club now finds itself under the stewardship of Turn Sports Investments (TSI), a stakeholder position within the club for the Blue & Gold supporters Trust, a new first team coach in the shape of James Rowe, a first team squad now adorned by around 16 new (and in some cases not so new faces) and in a first for the club a fully sponsored stadium deal announced only last week.
It has been a summer like no other for the football club, which has undergone quite the transformation, which in turn has lifted the gloom that seems to have been lurking around the club for the last few years.
The secret now is, of course, to maintain the positivity and ‘buzz’ created by the TSI brush that has swept quickly around Lynn Football Club during the last three months.
Much of that responsibility will fall upon the shoulders of James Rowe, his coaching team, and players that have been assembled in double quick time to try and go one step further than last term and gain promotion back to the full National League.
The class of season 2024/25 under Adam Lakeland battled hard to achieve a play-off place and, despite at times making it as difficult for themselves as they could, stumbled into the play-offs and secured an away midweek quarter-final, which they duly lost.
It was a big achievement from Lakeland and his charges to go beyond the regular season, something most supporters took gladly after the previous season’s struggles.
Despite the relative success, Lakeland never really won over all of Town’s supporters with his ‘let’s not lose the game approach’, which often saw just one main striker, even in home games, taking the fight to the opposition.
Rowe, on the other hand, appears to want his outfit to attack as much as they can, getting on the front foot to control games, rather than staying in them, hoping to grab a goal.
The summer recruitment has seen more attacking options added in the familiar shapes of Adam Marriott and Michael Gyasi, along with Fletcher Toll, who will continue his development at Stamford for the foreseeable future.
Rowe will most certainly be looking for more from Gold Omotayo this term, along with Theo Williams, who had few chances to shine last term.
For me, Ross Crane has a big part to play this season after being badly underused in his first season at the club.
He is an exciting prospect who can turn a game in a flash and, probably most importantly, has that ‘wow’ factor which excites supporters and gives them the entertainment they pay to watch.
I’ve seen a few comments from people suggesting the team will concede more, as well as score more and they may well be correct in their assumption.
It is a much changed defence that will line up on Saturday with the likes of Josh Coulson, Kian Ronan and, at the weekend, Kyle McFadden all departing for pastures new, leaving the squad maybe a little short in defensive experience.
Speaking of experience, much of that burden will be shouldered by Michael Clunan, who returned to his hometown team following a spell at Scunthorpe United.
Clunan is, in my opinion, Rowe’s cleverest capture of the summer and one who will play an integral part in the months ahead.
The midfielder, like most, has an eye for a pass and reads the game well, but also isn’t afraid of a tackle and will also do the tracking back and covering, which sometimes goes unnoticed.
It came as no surprise when the manager handed the captain’s armband to the local man on his return, as he typified the spirit that will be needed in the months ahead.
The manager’s brief on his appointment was to lower the average age of his squad, something he has done with clever acquisitions across a wide variety of positions on the pitch.
Among that number are players from lower-step clubs as well as those from a similar level who possibly haven’t had a fair crack of the whip at their previous teams.
A few people have asked me how I feel this new look line up will do this season and I have to admit I really don’t know.
There have been so many changes from top to bottom of the squad that I’m finding it difficult to make any kind of prediction at present.
I always tell people to see how things are after ten or so games and then have a little punt if you’re brave enough to do so.
Looking at the league in general, I’d say it’s difficult to look beyond Macclesfield as potential champions, something based purely on their spending power and fan base.
Kidderminster Harriers and Chester both remain in the league alongside the likes of Curzon Ashton and Chorley.
Newcomers Worksop, Bedford Town and Saturday’s opponents Telford will all need watching and let’s not forget the likes of Alfreton Town and Peterborough Sports.
I rate National League North as one of, if not the most, competitive leagues in non-league.
Last season’s competition was one of the most exciting in years, with most issues not being settled until the final days of the season. I see nothing before a ball is kicked to suggest anything different this time around.
I was very pleased last week to see Docherty Roofing and Cladding Ltd named as the club’s new stadium sponsor, with the Linnets’ home now known as the Docherty Walks Stadium.
Most clubs now, be it non or football league, play in branded, sponsored stadiums, with the income that generates being most welcome by the clubs concerned.
It’s the first time the entire ground has been sponsored, although the North Stand saw a major rebrand last season with Pattrick and Thompsons coming on board, and in previous times, the main stand has also been sponsored.
One of those sponsorships was from a person with a large business in Norfolk, who wished to remain anonymous, even though the money paid was a substantial amount.
I know that a few have always felt the deal was a false one, but it was genuine, I can assure you.
I took the call from the said person during the Covid times and know that it continued for a couple of seasons at least.
Back to the here and now, though, and it is very pleasing and exciting to see local businesses beginning, and in some cases continuing, sponsorship roles at the football club.
Those deals and their duration are among a number of things that will continue to assist the forward movement in the years ahead.
Finally, for this week, I thought thanks were in order to defender Kyle McFadden, who left the Linnets for Leiston over the weekend.
McFadden has been a tremendous servant and valuable player to the team over the last few seasons and will be missed not only by his teammates but also the club’s supporters.
His type of whole-hearted approach and attitude is one which is always popular at the Walks and no doubt will be at Leiston this coming season.
They have certainly got themselves a great player. Thank you, Kyle and good luck.
