Welcome to Edition 10 of our historical BHTFC Diary that has been running since December 2023 when Gary Mansell took over as Manager. Regular readers will understand that this column is designed to pick up on all things Hill related both on and off the pitch. From the start we have been hinting towards some serious progression. Edition 9 took us through the back end of the 24 25 regular season as the Club settled in a very encouraging 3rd place in Isthmian South East. I think you will agree that Edition 10 DELIVERS !
Tuesday 29th April BHTFC 2 Margate 0 Isthmian South East Play Off Semi Final
As nearly 1600 fans filed through the Home Call Carpets Community Stadium here in Mid Sussex on a warm and sunny evening it was clear that a lot of work had been done to produce a positive experience.
Step back a week our Operations Manager Dave Bradbury was in full swing planning and organising the whole event. He will be quick to point towards to a team effort, however he was the driving force behind what was to become one of our most Iconic nights of a generation. The stadium, already on its upward renovation looked perfect under sunny blue skies. In addition to the normal outlets we enjoyed a Hog Roast stand, a Bongo Beer stall at the away end and a North Garden Brewary stall at the Club House End. Operations off the field worked tremendously well. Huge congratulations to the army of people who toiled extremely hard throughout the day.
The teams emerged from the tunnel under a blanket of noise ringing out amongst both sets of fans. Margate brought two coach loads and many more had driven up from the Kent Coast. The atmosphere was fervent from the start and just got more intense as the evening wore on. With both sets of fans in the Ashley Carr stand there was a tinder box feel as the teams settled in the early stages. Local hero Martyn Box lite the fuse with a well taken goal mid-way through the 1st half. The Alliance exploding into life. Limbs and beer everywhere. One Nil at HT.
During a one sided 2nd half Hill dominated proceedings back by a now delirious set of fans dancing about at the club house end. Drummer George leading the way. The evening finished in complete satisfaction for all Hill connections when Bobby Price skipped past the keeper to score the 2nd. It was a moment to really savour.
The post-match Club House vibe was one of celebration but also of realisation of a job half done. We still had to go to Sittingbourne.
Friday 2nd May 2025 Sittingboune 1 BHTFC 1 Hill Win on Penalties. South East Play Off Final
Two coach loads of Hill connections left Mid Sussex late afternoon to make the tricky trip to Woodstock in Sittingbourne Swale for a 7.45 ko. Good progress was made arriving well ahead of KO. Sittingbourne had got the music right. A DJ belting out tunes from the club house veranda. As the stadium filled beer and food ques lengthened and lengthened.
300 Hill fans gathered behind the away end to set up camp for the night. The teams emerged under clear skies and warm temperatures. The 1st half was a bit of a blur as the Brickies chucked everything forward. The stadium erupted as they took the lead mid-way through. In truth we were lucky to still be in the contest as Logan Dobbs made two goal line clearances.
Joint Manager Gary Mansell had said ‘we are not here just to make up the numbers!’ A warning to Brickies which they hadn’t heeded. Hill came on 2nd half and played at there very best passing the ball with intent and purpose. Every player making snappy and decisive challenges all over the park. With Bourne now looking 2nd best sub Stefan Vukoje side footed a wonderful poacher’s goal to send 300 into complete melt down. Full time one one. Extra time flowed with some exciting and positive play but alas no more goals. Infamous Penalties!
Alex Brewer, Brannon O’Neill and Kieran Rowe thumped home to put Hill in front as Slav Huk made a great save. Martyn Box fired over the 5th penalty as both sets of fans held their breaths. Brickies miss the last and its pandemonium!
Well, that was 11 days ago now and we have enjoyed a volley of things over that time. The ground has been receiving some TLC and a tidy up. I am sure you will agree that our ‘Presentation Evening’ was a huge success. Plus, its has emerged that our Women’s Team have gone up as Champions. However, perhaps the most important realisation is that BHTFC are now a proud member of Isthmian Premier league.
With 2025-26 season already in full focus important work has already started behind the scenes. We hope that you have enjoyed Hillians Buzz throughout this amazing campaign as much as I have writing it. It’s been an honour and privilege to be so close to the action. For now, though Hillians Buzz will go into summer slumber but will be back with Edition 11 in late July.
Editor Colin Bowman 13/05/2025
