The Fine Line

In May 2006, St Albans City and Histon fought out a thrilling inaugural Conference South play off final in the hope of clinching promotion to the summit of non-league football.

Now, just over 18 months later, the subsequent fortunes of both clubs couldn't be more contrasting.

After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion following a heartbreaking championship deciding defeat to eventual champions Weymouth, St Albans went into the first ever Conference South play off final a massive 15 points clear of their Cambridgeshire opponents.

Under the leadership of experienced manager Colin Lippiatt and with a large backing from South Hertfordshire behind them, The Saints eventually won their place in the Conference National with a hard-fought 2-0 win, leaving Histon to face another gruelling Conference South campaign.

But the events of the following season would dramatically alter the fortunes of both clubs.

Despite getting off to a dream start with an away win at Kidderminster, St Albans were soon brought back down to earth with a bump, including an 8 game winless run spanning September and October.

Averaging crowds of over 1,000 at their Clarence Park ground, the club's enthusiasm for Conference National football was still intact and hopes of survival still alive, particularly after coming from a goal behind to win at local rivals Stevenage in late January.

Indeed it was The Saints' away form, suited to hitting teams on the break with pace, which seemed to be the club's route to an unlikely survival push. But following successive wins over Stevenage and Halifax, the team embarked on a disastrous 15 games winless run which would ultimately seal their fate.

Whilst St Albans were struggling to come to terms with life at the top level of non-league, Histon, under the guidance of Steve Fallon, were mounting a serious title challenge which would soon make up for the disappointment of missing out on promotion the previous May.

Surrendering top spot in Conference South for just six weeks in the entire season, Histon's promotion credentials were never in doubt, with the title being wrapped up in early April.

Not only did the club's promotion to its highest ever league standing bring unbridled joy to the small Cambridgeshire village, but it completed a miraculous succession of 5 promotions in 7 years, all under the management of Fallon.

Building a squad with a mixture of youth and experience, Histon's style of football has won admirers throughout the club's incredible run of success, from the Eastern Counties League to Conference National.

A major factor in Histon's rise to Conference South success has been the club's policy of consistency, not just in terms of the management team, but also the playing staff.

A quality which would cost St Albans dear.

As The Stutes were taking Conference South by storm and enjoying an extended FA Cup run to boot, St Albans were making a different kind of history of their own, churning out a record number of players in the hope of finding a winning combination that could keep their head above water.

And it was The Saint's relaxed attitude to consistency and professionalism which would prove to be their downfall.

Not only were the club going through players faster than they could get their names printed on shirts, but even the club's prized assets failed to be rewarded with the kind of protected contracts that would prevent them being poached by their rivals at a minimal cost. Both Damien Batt and Paul Hakim were lured away from Clarence Park when the club needed them most.

The ill health of manager Lippiatt was also having a detrimental effect on team affairs as first team training session, already at a premium at any part time club, were regularly cancelled with the manager absent. The consequence being that new players would often find themselves being thrown in at the deep end without even a training session at the club under their belt.

The reasons behind former director Ian Ridley's decision to leave the club in January were starting to become clear.

After the inevitable relegation back to Conference South and departure of manager Lippiatt, St Albans looked to 29 year old Ritchie Hanlon, with absolutely no managerial or coaching experience, to try and provide some much need consistency.

But the gamble didn't pay off as Hanlon, who was forced to bring his playing career to an abrupt end because of injury, was relieved of his duties after just 1 win from the opening 10 league fixtures.

Hanlon's successor, former AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson, has triggered a slight upturn in fortunes, but relegation back to 7th level of English football is a real threat.

In complete contrast to The Saints' ongoing predicament, Histon's 3-2 win at Rushden on Tuesday night has moved the Cambridgeshire outfit into a Conference National play off position, a truly remarkable achievement.

And as the club continue to prosper on the field, despite its ongoing part time status, the club are also making great progress off the field, including ground improvements and increased attendance of some 28%. St Albans by contrast have seen their average attendance plummet a depressing 64% in 12 months.

The contrast in fortunes between Histon and St Albans is symptomatic of the fine line between success and failure that continues to exist in the Blue Square leagues. By an extremely ironic twist of fate, Histon's remarkable success in reaching 5th place in the Blue Square Premier probably wouldn't have been possible without the play off final defeat which bought the club the time to consolidate and launch their title winning assault on firm foundations.

There are no "parachute payments" for teams relegated out of the Blue Square Premier, but the consequences of failure and subsequent upheaval required are just the same. You only get one shot at survival, so make sure you're adequately prepared for the battle.

by Simon Downes