Ben Smith ponders the cost of Concord Rangers’ recent triumphs…
Two years short of half a century in existence and Concord Rangers are quickly moving up the non-league ladder, picking up copious trophies whilst gaining national recognition along the way.
It has been a remarkable seven years for the Essex-based club, whose existence stems from a team of boys competing in friendly matches by Concord beach.
The Beach Boys gained promotion to the Isthmian League Division One North in 2008, having won the Essex Senior League for the third time in a decade after being denied promotion on the other two occasions.
The Beach Boys reached the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2010 and spent just three seasons in the step three, before progressing to the Conference South via the play-offs in 2013.
In what was their first ever appearance in the sixth tier of English football, Rangers more than held their own and finished in ninth-place. A ground-breaking season for the Essex club was capped with their maiden Essex Senior Cup, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Braintree Town in the final.
The 2014-15 campaign – which ended on Saturday with a 3-0 win at relegated Farnborough – was another one for manager Danny Cowley to be proud of.
The Canvey Islanders reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, and forced Mansfield Town into a replay at Thames Road which the League Two side edged 1-0.
Even more impressive was their 14-game unbeaten run, which began with a 3-0 triumph over Whitehawk, and was brought to an end at Eastbourne Borough in early April.
Three defeats in their last five league fixtures meant that the Beach Boys’ late surge for a play-off place never came to fruition. Rangers missed out by five points, eventually finishing seventh, their highest finish on English football ladder.
Cowley’s men did retain the Essex Senior Cup, and whilst the Rangers boss is delighted with his players’ achievements this season, he is resigned to the fact that he may have to prepare himself for some summertime blues as many of his finest assets will seek pastures new at a higher level.
“Our performances in the FA competitions this season, winning the Essex Senior Cup again and challenging for the play-offs means some of our players will be able to pick their moves,” Cowley told the club’s website.
“And we wish them all the best with that because that is the Concord way – to help ambitious players realise their potential.
“I’m not sure what will happen but it will all come out in the wash in May and June.
“We accept that because with every promotion we have always lost good players in the summer, right back to the Ryman One North days when Lyle Taylor and Danny Heale left.
Taylor’s 34 goals during 2009-10 earned him a move to Bournemouth, then of League One. Cowley says that even if there are a significant number of outgoings this summer, Rangers will recover.
“But we will build again because the collective at Concord is always stronger than the individuals,” he added.
“And in terms of the dressing room this squad is probably the best group of players we have ever had.
“It is also a terrific team so I am glad they converted that into success with the cup win – and it was great to win that game in style too.”
Steven Cawley has been one of many tremendous performers this season, and is likely to have caught the eye of several Conference, and perhaps Football League, outfits. The midfielder, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, registered 11 goals in 2014-15.
Tony Stokes has contributed a total of 15 goals from midfield over the last two years, and Alex Woodyard’s form that earned him an England C call-up means that they could both be the subject of interest.
The chances of retaining Josh Vickers’ services, the 19-year-old goalkeeper on loan from Arsenal, are also slim.
It may be the end of the road at Concord Rangers for some of the heroes of recent times, but that is not to say that the Beach Boys’ ascension stops here.