With fixture release approaching we look back on a tricky but ultimately stabilising 24/25 season, with the 25/26 pre-season preparation just starting to kickoff.

Manager Chris McPhee begins his second season in charge of Parkway and hopes to build on Parkway’s 13th place finish in the Southern Premier League South last season. The Yellows struggled early on last season, hovering near the relegation zone after just one win in their first 12 matches. However, performances improved in the second half of the season, as Parkway found form and recorded huge wins, including a standout 6–0 home victory against Gloucester City. 

Despite squad changes and some significant player departures, including the exit of Dylan Jones to Norwich City, the first recorded sale for a Parkway player in our history, and Jack Endacott embarking on a 4-year scholarship in America, Parkway ended the season with a sense of stability and a foundation to build on heading into the new campaign. 

Parkway are set to face six new opponents in the upcoming campaign. Among these are Berkhamsted, who were promoted from Division One Central and will be meeting Parkway for the first time this season.

Yate Town, promoted from Division One South, return as familiar opposition. Evesham United, having earned promotion from Division One South via the playoffs, also make a return to Parkway’s fixture list. Meanwhile, Farnham Town enter the league after their promotion from the Isthmian League South Central, presenting another first-time league encounter. 

Similarly, Uxbridge, who also came up from the Isthmian League South Central through the playoffs, will be new league opponents for Parkway this year. Lastly, Weymouth drop down from the National League South and, for the first time, compete in the same division as Parkway, adding another local(ish) challenge to the season ahead.

These six clubs join the returning 15 teams, including Parkway, making up the 22-team division for next season.

Chris McPhee has been busy in the transfer market this summer, aiming to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. So far, Parkway have made 9 first-team signings adding depth to his squad, including:

Rocky Neal. A marquee signing up front, and definitely the biggest signing of the summer bringing experience and goals to the side.

Charlie Stevens, Charlie Casthouse and Aiden Warne all join on youth contracts, returning to Bolitho Park as exciting prospects

Will Sullivan, Jacob Smith, Jack Veale, Jensen Ireland, and Max Edgecombe all join Parkway on signed contracts as young, promising talents aligning with the club’s recruitment strategy.

So Yellows, with the squad locked in and a new season on the horizon, who do you want to face on the opening day, play against on boxing day and where on earth will we end up on the final day of the season? 

Thoughts on a postcard please…

#RoundAreWay