Season preview 2025-26

26 July 2025

Brockenhurst v Lymington Town: abandoned after 15 minutes because of serious injury to Kieran O’Donnell.  Nothing else to say about this except that I’m absolutely devasted for the player – he’s a really good lad and we were so looking forward to seeing him again.  Goes without saying that I – along with everyone else at the club – wish him a speedy and complete recovery.  Our thoughts are with him.  

Big season preview

So that put a massive dampener on my afternoon, but fortunately for you I’d written my preview in advance so for what it’s worth…

So I’ve been trailing my Big Season Preview, haven’t I – but as I’ve said in previous seasons, I don’t have any great insights into what’s in store because I don’t know enough about the ‘business’ other clubs have been doing.  Nevertheless:

AFC Stoneham must be among the title favourites – they’ve broken 90 points in each of the last three years and not got over the line, but a repeat performance would surely have them going close again.  It would be a big ask for their closest pursuers – Andover New Street, Hamble Club and Baffins Milton Rovers – to close that 20-point gap down.  But of course, that depends on how who they’ve retained and how they’ve recruited, and that in turn comes down in part to financial backing.  I wouldn’t be overly surprised to see Ham Rec take another step forward, they’re obviously committed to progression and seem to have quite deep pockets, although they might need to work on some aspects of their ground if they want to be taken seriously in the Southern League.  The complete dark horses / unknown quantities are of course Bemerton Heath Harlequins: voluntary relegation to deal with financial issues, are they in a position to invest in the squad and make another go of it? 

Welcome back to Petersfield (who seem to be quietly fancied for a good season); welcome to close neighbours New Milton Town (now there’s a derby we’ll all be looking forward to); and two trips to the island following the promotion of East Cowes Vics, indeed a third because we’ve also drawn them in the Vase.  At least we have, so far, avoided the need to make the trip in January…

So what of Brock?  Well… you know, I reckon things could be worse.  Experience suggests that preseason is no sort of indicator, but it’s the only evidence we have and it’s really not bad.  The Mitch is back, which will inject both goals and intensity.  Early signs from preseason are that there’s a decent squad coming together with the new signings blending in nicely with the bulk of last year’s group.  Henry Brooks and Toby Colmer have been outstanding in these games, Jordi stays top notch, Liam MacFarlane looks a strong addition, Sam Woodward finally scoring for Brock rather than against us, and there’s a few we haven’t even seen yet (Rian, Harry and Tyler all injured): this group has a chance.  Keep them together and keep them fit, and I think the Badgers could have a really interesting season ahead.  The FA Cup draw hasn’t been overly kind with an away trip to Moneyfields (finally back in their own stadium!), with another Step 4 team lying in wait if Brock pull off the upset.  But you know, that’s a trophy we’re unlikely to win.  The Vase, on the other hand… away at East Cowes Vics followed by a trip to Sherborne, not unwinnable of course but away ties against fellow Wessex Prem sides aren’t first choice.  Then again – win them both, and who knows what happens next.   It would be great to have at least one decent cup run this season, and the Vase would be my top priority for that!  As to the league, bread and butter – we know last season was tough and we know some of the reasons why, but this does look a stronger squad and the Badgers should really be looking towards the top half and, who knows, the outside chance of a playoff spot?  Ask me again December!