As first seasons go, London Lions’ Development team can have few complaints.
Laurence Judah’s side found themselves competing in Division One of the Herts Senior County League and took a thrilling league campaign down to the final game of the season in a winner-takes-all match to seal promotion.

Reflecting back on the campaign, Judah says: “It was an outstanding first season for our group, the first team in eight years that London Lions had a second team competing [at this level].

“We achieved more than we thought possible. There is lots to improve on, because our whole club is built on progression, but overall it has just been overwhelmingly positive.”

Their campaign may have culminated in that promotion play-off against Apsley Argyle — which they won 3-1 thanks to goals from Max Davis, Sam Hamerton and Jack Mattey — but for Judah, the turning point of their season was a cup defeat they experienced back in September.

“We got knocked out of a cup on penalties after being 4-0 up at half-time and it was the best thing that happened to us all season,” he explains. “It allowed us to understand the style that was required at this level, and what the non-negotiables were in terms of defensive shape, physicality and organisation.”

After that, he reflects on the best moment, the 3-1 Apsley victory. “It was the undoubted highlight,” he enthuses.

“We needed a win, they just needed to avoid defeat and we blew them away. They didn’t touch the ball for a half and by the time they got going, we were out of sight. A lesser group would have choked, but we put everything we’d spoken about all season together, right when it mattered most.”

As much satisfaction as the promotion gave him, the number of young players he blooded during the course of the season has also been a huge source of pride.

He explains: “Giving players their men’s football debuts and helping them progress is the most enjoyable part of doing this. We had ten schoolboys make their first steps into men’s football with us this season, as well as plenty of boys stepping up from the Maccabi GB Sunday Football League.

"Our coach Matt Chart has been developing players at some of the best academies in the area for many years, so I’d encourage anyone who wants to give a really good standard of football a go to join us for pre-season, which got under way a couple of weeks ago.”

A fine debut campaign saw them finish in fourth spot and while only the top-three sides get promoted, Bovingdon, who finished third, aren’t eligible for promotion as their first team already play at the level above, meaning the Rowley Lane side will be taking their place in next season’s Premier Division.

As to what he’s hoping they can achieve next season, he adds: “Our aims never change; represent our community with pride, give a great account of ourselves on and off the pitch, and to help our boys become the best footballers and men they can be.

“If we do that then we’ll be very successful and trophies will follow.”