It has been a complicated summer for Ebbsfleet United. The financial restructure at the club has forced a huge turnover in playing personnel and, following two impressive seasons in the National League following their 2017 promotion, this season will offer the biggest test the club has faced for a while.

Before the big National League kick off on Saturday, we spoke to Fleet fan Phil Moss about his hopes, fears and predictions for the 2019/2020 season.

 

How would you rate Ebbsfleet’s close and pre season business? 

That EUFC is still in business! It’s been a difficult few months off the field and to still have the Fleet to watch in 2019/20 is great and a relief. On the playing side, manager Garry Hill has worked hard – we all know he missed his family holiday! – with MD Dave Archer to build a new squad almost from scratch. The best piece of business has, at the time of writing, been to keep the league’s best ‘keeper Nathan Ashmore.

What represents a realistic aim for the club this season?

Fleet finished 7th and 8th in our first two seasons back in the National League and therefore anything less than a top ten finish will be disappointing. There are some Stonebridge Road regulars that’ll be happy with 20th and paying the bills on time but Hill and assistant Ian Hendon are ambitious, as new signing James Ball revealed: “He [Hill] told me what his plans were, the club were going for it this year and they want to get promoted”.

Who is the star signing and why?

A month ago Gozie Ugwu, as losing Danny Kedwell over the summer was a huge blow, especially as Michael Cheek had already departed the club. Gozie’s permanent signing soothed the fears up front, but the ‘star’ signing now is Ayo Obileye. At 6’3″, the guy is a mobile colossus who causes havoc in midfield and the opposition box, having netted four times in pre-season, and his omnipresence will be a key factor for the Fleet.

Is there a cause for concern, if so, what might that be? 

Depth, or rather the lack of it. The club’s financial situation that the Fleet belatedly woke up to during last season has resulted in swingeing cuts to the playing budget, resulting in a much smaller squad than has been ‘permitted’ during the last few seasons. There are currently just sixteen players fit in the Fleet squad, which includes two ‘keepers, while Cody McDonald recovers from cruciate knee ligament damage and just one spot is free on the permitted 18-man ‘roster’.

What is your prediction for the season? 

A top ten finish is definitely achievable as our playing budget, while drastically reduced, is still competitive and the performances in pre-season have been encouraging. If permitted, one or two loan signings could be the difference between finishing top ten and sneaking into the playoffs. The title will probably go to AFC Fylde or Chesterfield, although now Notts County have new ambitious owners they could be contenders. Look out for Barnet, Bromley, Stockport County and Wrexham making a playoff run.