Westbury United are celebrating what has been an historic season as the club finished an impressive tenth in the Southern League Division One – only just narrowly missing out on the promotion play-offs – and with a Wiltshire Premier Shield Final still to come, their first Shield final in 30 years.
If you look at the Southern League table, it is easy to forget that this is United’s first time playing in the Southern League and only two of their players had ever played at this level before. The team, which is led by joint managers Lewis Porter and Ricky Hulbert, has defied the odds and not only remained in the division, but comfortably so.
Chairman of the club, Sam Gooding, has paid tribute to the managers and players for their efforts. “Before the season started, we would have bit someone’s hand off if they said we could finish tenth, given that we were just promoted,” he said. “To finish just outside the play-offs is remarkable for this club, and I have to thank both Ricky and Lewis for helping steer the ship as they’ve been excellent and really helped the players to realise their potential.
“Both managers complement each other so well and it’s part of the reason why we have done so well – Ricky is the enforcer who helps push the players, and Lewis is more methodical in his approach. Knowing the club is in such capable hands means that I can focus on my job of improving the club even more.
“It’s been such a great season, but I think the highlight for me personally was the Sholing game; they were unbeaten when we went into the fixture at home, and we found ourselves two goals down in the first half. We managed to score three, including one wonder-goal from the half-way line, and I think it gave everyone a boost and we went on a small run at home which really helped us rise up the league.
“All eyes are on the final, but next season I know the guys would love to target the play-offs – if this became a reality, we would have to look off the field at the costs involved with travelling to the new teams and progressing up the league, it’s a big ask both for the players and for the club itself, but these are good problems to have!”
Proving the doubters wrong with ‘little old Westbury United’
Player/manager Ricky Hulbert says that part of the motivation for this season came from proving the sceptics wrong. “We aren’t little old Westbury anymore, we’re a proper club now, and our attendances have been boosted by 30% to 40% which helps show this,” he said.
“When I first took over, I told the previous chairman Greg Coulson that I’m here to take Westbury United to the Southern League – to finish tenth in our first season of it shows just how far we’ve come. I had people wanting to place bets with me that we would get hammered 7-0 in this league each week, but that really helped spur us on and prove the doubters wrong.
“I’ve played this level for 20 years or so, so I know the level the boys would have to play at coming into this season. My standards are high, so when we first started the aim was to stay in the league, but from a player perspective it was the dream to make the play-offs which we almost did. To even be in the conversation of the play-offs is remarkable in itself given where we were six years ago when I first joined, and everything is going in the right direction.
“One of the lads had spoken to me before the season with concerns that he might not be able to play at this level of football, but he’s gone on to be one of our best players. Going into the league, there had only been two players who had played at this level, so it shows just how well the boys have taken to the league.”
Joint manager Lewis Porter added, “Everyone outside the club thought we’d be going straight back down – we were the only ones with confidence that we would succeed, and I guess that’s all that matters! At the beginning of the season, both me and Rick said that we have the ability in the squad to finish top ten, but to get there and to push for play-offs until a couple weeks ago shows just show good of a season we have had.
“There has been a big buzz around the club this season and we’ve had more people coming through the gate to show their support which we really appreciate – thank you to everyone who supported us so far!
“The lads have done so well this season so I know that there will be some clubs sniffing around trying to poach some boys now that the players have established themselves this year, but we will try to keep everyone we can and built on top of our success this season.
“The Sholing game helped show the boys that we can go toe-to-toe with anyone and the derby game against Melksham Town when we beat them 3-2 away was brilliant as we were clapped off by the fans who have been getting louder and louder with each game.”
- The Wiltshire Shield final is on Tuesday 9th May at Swindon Town’s County Ground against Swindon Town. The Wiltshire Shield is a cup competition for the highest placed clubs in Wiltshire from professional to Step 5, including Swindon Town from League 2.
