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Season Reviews

2005/06

Welcome to our review of the 2005/06 season, one which should be consigned to history as soon as possible and hopefully forgotten about, after United suffered their fourth relegation in their 109 year history.

With the club still on a high following a successful 2004/05 campaign, many tipped United for a play-off challenge. Despite a decent start, the Ducks dropped away, and once again a number of off-field problems arose, with a knock-on effect on activities on the pitch, and the club languished in the bottom four for the entire second half of the season.

Good Start

Manager Danny Nicholls remained in charge over the summer months, making only a couple of changes to an already talented squad. Paul Lamb and Daniel French were notable departures, whilst in came highly rated striker Darran Hay along with promising young defender Liam Dolman on-loan from Northampton Town.

Results were good, a five match unbeaten run got the season underway, including only failing to beat Chippenham due to a last minute penalty, and wins over Cheshunt, and more impressively King's Lynn. United also went four games without conceding a goal.

But then came three poor defeats in succession, away at Northwood and Evesham United, and at home to Grantham Town. October saw United winless in the league, as they drew at Team Bath and lost close games at Banbury United and Hitchin Town.

By this point it was clear United weren't going to be challenging for honours after all, as they slipped quietly into mid-table.

The FA Cup - So Close

September brought some respite in the FA Cup, although the Ducks struggled to overcome minnows Northampton Spencer 2-1, and needed a replay to finally see off Northwood in the next round.

The Ducks progressed through the 3rd Qualifying Round at the expense of Wroxham, although again they needed a replay after the hosts scored a full 10-minutes into stoppage time in Norfolk.

Drawn against Folkestone Invicta in the 4th and final Qualifying Round, United had their best chance of reaching the 1st Round Proper in many years, but on the day were comfortably beaten 2-0 in front of a massively disappointed Buckingham Road crowd.

Experiencing Turbulence

The middle of the season proved to be another traumatic time for the club. There was to be no repeat of the previous season's FA Trophy heroics, despite beating tenants Thame United 5-0 in the 1st Qualifying Round, the Ducks quietly slipped out of the competition at Halesowen Town.

Star striker and leading goalscorer, Drew Roberts left the club in November to join Conference South side Histon, leaving a huge void up front. United's form through the month was good in the league though, securing a good draw at King's Lynn and beating Cheshunt and Cirencester Town, and drawing with Mangotsfield. Aylesbury then exited the League Cup, at the hands of Champions elect Salisbury City 3-0.

An emerging young star hit the headlines around this time, as Aston Goss changed successive games - creating the winner against Cheshunt, and scoring a wonderful solo effort to win the match against Cirencester. He was elevated to hero status and remained part of the firs team for the rest of the season.

Results in early December were poor, and the club hit their lowest point when they were hammered 5-0 at home to Tiverton Town. This marked the end to Danny Nicholls, who resigned citing cuts in his playing budget.

A number of players swiftly departed the club, six in total, leaving the club in a tricky situation. Thankfully, former players Richard Horner and Gary Crawshaw, aided by youth team coach Owen Clayton stepped forward to take over for the match against Merthyr Tydfil three days later.

Although United lost 2-0, the young side did themselves proud and proved they were to be part of the remainder of the season. December continued without a win as the club looked to appoint a new manager to try and stave off relegation.

The Trebble Era

Former Preston striker Neil Trebble was appointed at the end of December, bringing with him backroom staff of Nicky Ironton and Andy Theodosiou. Trebble had previously been assistant manager at Arlesey Town, and involved with Ironton at Hemel Hempstead.

Trebble brought in a number of players, and performances gradually began improving, but his most notable results in the first two months of his stewardship were draws, with his first win in charge not arriving until March.

There were impressive points gained at Chippenham Town, where a late strike cost United all three, as well as another 1-1 draw at Halesowen Town where a wonder-strike on his debut by Nick Jackson equalised for United. Aylesbury were also unlucky to lose at Bath City, where they put in a typical battling display only to be unrewarded.

The last remaining chance of Cup glory was brought to an end in late February, when Wycombe Wanderers brought a strong Reserve side to see off Aylesbury's young team 2-0.

Entering the final two months of the season, wins were a must for Aylesbury if they were to hold onto their Premier Division status. And that's exactly what they did at the start of March, turning in a superb performance to beat Banbury United 2-0 for Neil Trebble's first win in charge.

Frustratingly this was swiftly followed by a dour 1-0 defeat by basement club Chesham United, in front of the club's biggest gate of the season of 827. This was a match in which tempers flared between fans and management, particularly after the manager introduced himself as a second half substitute.

Three further defeats followed, at Yate Town, and at home to Salisbury City and Gloucester City. Backroom staff Ironton and Theodosiou departed, and the Ducks entered the last month of the season needing at least four wins to survive.

All the players can take credit for their determination and their performances throughout April. The team came mightily close to achieving their target - beating Halesowen and Northwood, and drawing with Tiverton.

Unfortunately Aylesbury lost at Bedford, and were crushed 5-1 at Buckingham Road by Bath City in what was a bridge too far for an exhausted young squad, and relegation was confirmed. Despite this, the team played the final game in high spirits with their heads held high, and won 4-2 in a fantastic finale at Merthyr Tydfil.

Moving Forwards

The end of season sees the biggest changes taking place at the club in 10-years. Club owner Bill Carroll, thwarted by the FA in his attempts to play Aylesbury's matches on an all weather artificial surface, has agreed to hand over the running of the club to a new fan oriented committee.

Sadly, that deal brings an end to Aylesbury's 20-year spell at the Buckingham Road Stadium. It's unfortunate that the last game played by the Ducks there will be a 5-1 defeat, but the club now need to look to an exciting future.

Aylesbury have been placed in the Southern League Division One Midlands for 2006-07 and with a new manager to be appointed, a club run in the correct manner, and an exciting squad of young players the future is certainly the brightest it's been for a number of years.

Luke Brown - May 2006