PHILIP EVANS, a former Axminster player, assesses Axminster Town's season and the challenges they face in competing at the highest level

Axminster Town completed their fixtures yesterday (Saturday), losing 2-1 away to Ivybridge Town, who finished in fourth place in the South West Peninsular Premier East division.

Despite the defeat, Axminster finish the season in a creditable sixth place, their best performance since joining the Peninsular League, following a good run of results towards the end of the season.

There were a few raised eyebrows when Dan Prettejohn, who managed Upottery in the Devon and Exeter League League, was appointed to replace the more experienced Josh Stunnell, whose services were dispensed with after a run of lack-lustre results. Iconic non-league manager Warren Patmore was even drafted in to help turn the tide but no avail.

Prettejohn got the job after managing Axminster Reserves and winning promotion to the Devon and Exeter League.

Although not local the players are committed

There were those who doubted Prettejohn's managerial experience but their fears were proved to be misplaced as the Blackdown Hills publican succeeded in building a side of players experienced at this level with a squad which - whilst not local - were certainly committed.

Prettejohn referred to this in his manager's comments in the Tigers' last match programme. He said: "As the last game attention starts to turn to next season, it goes without saying we want to build on this campaign and who knows it may be the last time you see some of the lads in a Tiger's shirt.

"But what I can say is that the 'non-local' tag they have picked up may be true but most have played 95 per cent of all fixtures to the point that regular supporters can name nine or ten of starting line-up every game, which I'm not sure has always been the case."

There has been much discussion in local football circles about the sustainability of paying players to play, which is the norm in the South West Peninsular League.

None of our local clubs in the South West Peninsular League are likely to reveal how much they spend on what used to be known as "boot money", but players of the calibre of Josh Wadham, Jamie Price, Oscar Latis and Chris McGrath are unlikely to sign without some form of remuneration.

The stark fact, however, is that if a club wants to finish in the top echelons of the South West Peninsular, they have to pay players. Some of the sums being paid by the top clubs is eye-watering.

Axminster are justifiably proud of their wonderful stadium providing what are probably the best facilities in the League, but a good stadium does not necessarily bring success on the field of play without having a team of committee volunteers working behind the scenes.

This is where Axminster scores highly, especially on match days when they do their best to make it an enjoyable experience watching the Tigers in action. And hardly a week goes by without a fundraising event. It takes that sort of dedication to keeping delivering football at this level.

Prettejohn's reference in his programme notes to the 'non-local' tag refers to the lack of locally-born players in the senior squad and the view that it would be better for Axminster to drop down a level or two to accommodate the local lads who, whilst being talented players, may not quite be experienced enough to play at Peninsular level.

Was it a mistake to ditch the Reserves and 3rd X1?

Many viewed the decision by the club committee a few years ago to scrap the third eleven and then the Reserves to concentrate on the senior squad as a big mistake. Two seasons ago the Reserves were reformed with Prettejohn named as manager. He took them back to the Devon and Exeter Premier division but a number of well respected local players had already signed for other local clubs, including neighbours Millwey Rise and Lyme Regis.

Like many other local teams, Axminster Reserves have struggled this season and on two occasions have not been able to field a side. With two games left to play, the Reserves have only gathered 18 points from 22 fixtures and whilst they will escape relegation to Division One, next season could well throw up some similar challenges.

Other East Devon clubs have also experienced a difficult season. Ottery St Mary, after losing a manager and a number of players to Sidmouth around Christmas, have decided to drop a level. Sidmouth do not seem to have benefited by the influx of players, finishing second from bottom, and Honiton Town have only won 11 of their 37 games to date.

Bridport have made a decision not to pay players and they will drop down to Division One in the Western League, having conceded 168 goals.

Some argue that Axminster would be better dropping down a level which would improve numbers through the the turn-style, especially in local derbies with sides like Beer Albion and Lyme Regis where crowds of more than 150 are often achieved. The Tigers are the best followed side in the South West Peninsular Premier division with an average attendance of 96.79.

Where the club has not done so well is the discipline of the players. They had seven players sent off this season, leaving the Tigers next to bottom in the fair play league and which impacted badly on their results, costing them points which might have seen them reach fifth place.

But they do have one of he most well organised youth sections in local football with 11 teams from under 6s to under 15s. Next season they will also have an under 18s team which will play in a midweek under floodlights league in the hope it will produce players who will progress to the senior squad.

The club's Under 13s will next season be competing in the Europa Cup in the famous Paris de Parc stadium, led by Sam Dibling.

One of their ex-players, Tyler Dibling, is making big headlines at Southampton where he plays for the Saints' Under 23 team, scoring a fantastic hat-trick last week which received national coverage.

The move from the iconic Sector Lane to Tiger Way was a huge achievement for Axminster Town but progress on the field of play has not kept pace with the ultimate ambition to deliver Western League football.

Club chairman Andy Hurford announced in last week's programme, much to the regret of many, that he was standing down after four years in the chair. He has steered the club through a difficult period and can feel well proud of his efforts during that time. His will be big shoes to fill as his family has been synonymous with Axminster Town Football Club in recent times. His sister Rachel is one of the driving forces behind the club's off-the-pitch activities.

It will be interesting to see in what direction the club will enter under the guidance of Andy's successor.