August
It is the best season Bedworth United have encountered since the club nearly folded 5 years back, and this review will go back through the season remembering the good points the bad points, the happy points, the sad points, the best moments and worst moments. Be rest assured the good will out do the bad!

It was a very mixed start to the season, that’s for sure. A thrilling opening game of the season saw the Greenbacks lose 3-2 to Weston at The Oval, the game was quickly followed by our first away trip of the season to Gresley, where we ran out 2-1 winners with Chris Partridge getting the first 2 goals of his campaign.

A local derby preceded this, away at RC Warwick, and it certainly was not a special, with a 0-0 bore draw to come away from the ground with. In a packed first month to the season the Greenbacks then had a tasty game against the Adders at The Oval on Bank Holiday. The biggest gate of the season saw the Greenbacks win 2-1 with Adam Webster and Chris Partridge getting the first half goals, which halted, then unbeaten Atherstone's run.

September
September started with the FA Cup and an away tie to Oldbury United. A great following from the Greenback faithful saw the lads run out easy 4-0 winners in a warm Brum afternoon. A week later the Greenbacks made the long trip south west to Mangotsfield United, a Chris Partridge goal was the only Bedworth action in a 1-1 draw, however, the players were brought down to earth like a rocket when they were walked all over by Bilston.

One of the few low points to the season. A 3-0 defeat on a miserable evening was all that the Greenbacks could muster up. Marcus Law summed it all up by saying "We were not at the races"

He said "At the end of the day we have had too many players have an off day and we weren’t at the races they are a very strong organised side and they will be up there. They are the best side that we have played up till now. I have told the lads to go away and think about the player from Bilston that was playing in you're position and learn from them. I mean our oldest player is 29 and the next one is about 23 or 24 these are all young lads and sometimes we have to adapt to cope with the stronger sides, and our lads will learn from that"

The lads then had the FA Cup to turn to again, this time another meeting with Atherstone United at Sheepy Road, and what a game this was. The lads were great, battled well and showed some unreal team spirit. After going 1-0 don with 20 minutes to go, the "old" Bedworth might have collapsed, not the reformed Drewitt army, in the 88th Minute Jamie Richardson put the 100+ supporters into ecstasy with his equaliser. The reaction was unbelievable, pitch invasion, deafening singing, and the lads could have won it, but this was all in vein when the Adders scored an against the run of play winner to knock the lads out of the cup in the replay 4 days later.

However, sadness was to change to delight when the Greenbacks thumped SEVEN past Gloucester in the next game. It was a brilliant performance, with Nathan Thompson, Adam Webster (3), Chris Partridge (2) and Lloyd Sewell getting the goals.

However, the air of inconsistency occurred again when the lads slumped to a 4-0 defeat by to be relegation battlers Shepshed Dynamo, who on that performance shouldn't have ended up anywhere near the bottom. Marcus Law had a very technical and interesting view on the reasons behind the inconsistency.

Law said "There is something as a side that we need to look at, not as individuals but as a side. We can't just blame the players for what is going on, it’s down to me, Pat, Ian and the backroom staff to pull together as a team. There are areas tonight that we need to work on, and I have got to look at myself, I had planned all pre-season, and the first 3/4 weeks of the opening season but I have not planned the next 7 weeks perhaps that’s where I have lacked as a coach, but I have learnt and I will start to plan the next 6 or 7 weeks so the side can progress. We are still a young side in the learning process these games we can learn from."

October
However things were about to get better in October, a midweek 11-0 win against Spratton in the Daventry Cup naturally lifted the confidence of the players, before they made their Friday night trip to Rocester for a cracking evening. Where more than just a win was to be the highlight.

The lads won 2-1, a great team performance but didn't go without the odd scare, however the club where delighted to announce that Chris Partridge would sign a 2yr deal with the club, his manager Ian Drewitt was delighted

"This is a great move for both the club and Chrissy. We have seen already just how good a player he is, and I am sure he will be able to create so much more for us. Shepshed had put 7 days in for him, but he way he has been playing with Webby this season I knew that they were not to be his last 7 days, we had to do what we had to do, eyebrows will be raised when names appear on the Goalscorers list, and we don't want to lose ours"

Darren Beckett also joined the Greenbacks describing "Potential" as the main reason for joining.

However it was the home form that caused the lads the most problems and a 2-0 defeat by Gresley, the 5th of the season, left Ian Drewitt fuming. He kept his players in till late trying to get his message across.

Finally the Greenbacks broke the home duck with a 2-1 victory over RC Warwick in the Birmingham Senior Cup.

A boggy stay at Coles Lane followed this, Sutton were the Greenbacks got a point when Adam Webster grabbed a late equaliser, and Chris Partridge squandered a late chance when his feet got simply stuck in the mud.

The lads then travelled to Bilston, hoping to reverse the embarrassment that they caused at The Oval, they did that. Thanks to 2 penalty saves from Tynan Scope and a late winner from Whitty, the lads went home happy winners clinching a 1-0 win, Scope the hero, keeping the lads afloat, just.

The week ahead would see Ben Steane added to the squad. Unknown to many at Bedworth the 19 year old was a key figure in the 1999/2000 Hinckley side but struggled to find a place in the first team this season. After a reserve team game against Hinckley Ian Drewitt instantly snapped up the star to be.

The Greenbacks then faced Solihull at the Oval, but once again failed to gain anything from their home performance losing out 2-0 losers leaving the home record at Played 7 Won 1 Drawn 0 Lost 6. Something Drewitt wasn't majorly concerned about, but knew had to change.

Out of the first team Simon Benn took charge of the youth team. Benn, connected with the club for many years seemed the ideal replacement for Len Harris.

The Greenbacks then ended the month off with a 3-2 win over Newport Pagnell to claim the Daventry Cup for the 4th time.

November
November was a very busy month, and saw the start of the team’s best spell of the season. It all started at Rossendale in the FA Trophy where around 100 Greenback supporters made the long trip to Burnley to follow the lads in a Thrilling 3-3 draw. After going 2-0 down in no time at all, the Greenbacks clawed it back to 3-2, sending the Green Army into, once again, a state of ecstasy. However a 30-yard screamer meant that the lads had to play the game on Tuesday night. Not a problem, the lads ran out 2-0 winners. A trademark Whitmore penalty, and a last minute goal from Webster sent the lads through.

The Greenbacks then had the tough task of new boys Chippenham Town, a brilliant performance walking all over the title contenders wasn't enough and the Buebirds went out 2-1 winners somehow.

Then, on Tuesday night, was 45 minutes of football that I don’t think any Greenbacks will forget. Tamworth were the hosts in a Dr Martens Cup Tie at The Lamb. Precise, breathtaking, brilliant, quality, fantastic and unreal were just some of the comments made at half time as Bedworth went 4-0 up against a strong Tamworth side. The final score 4-1, but the game was already over at half time, the worst 45 minutes Gary Hill, then then Tamworth boss, had ever seen.

Saturday took the Greenbacks to another new ground, this time Stourport, a superb volley from Scott McGregor was not enough as the Greenbacks drew 1-1, a result Marcus Law didn't see as exactly the right one "I think we have performed so well away from home that we are disappointed only to get a draw, it actually feels like a loss. I think apart from the first 20 mins our football was superb and we have created numerous chances and it’s been one of the few times this season when we haven't converted them."

November would see the start of a few headline making transfer speculation. Just before the Stourport game, the Greenbacks rejected an offer for Guy Sanders from Nuneaton describing it as "Peanuts".

Bottom placed Swindon were the next visitors, and they were not to take advantage of the Greenbacks poor home record as they ran out 4-2 winners Law said after the game "Its our third home win on the trot in all competitions, but we will take it one game at a time, al we can do is keep working hard and to cancel out the mistakes that are making things hard for us, but we can go to Shepshed full of confidence"

They certainly did that. A 3-1 win away at Shepshed saw the lads climb the table, with a performance that could have brought double the amount of goals, but the management staff were not to complain, they had the Trophy to think about.

The end of November was the start of the battle between Worcester and Bedworth for Adam Webster. Worcester's first offer was rejected. Peter Randle, Chairman said, "We have received an enquiry for two players from Worcester City, they have put the offer in writing, but once again the offer really was an insult to both players and the club itself and the club doesn't want to lose players of their ability because we want to go forward. We are confident that they will stay at Bedworth United, and will hopefully be here next year."

Things were to hotten up as the Greenbacks found out that Worcester would be their next opponents in the Dr Martens Cup.

December
The league continued with a visit to The Oval from Sutton Coldfield, with a debut start for Richard Williams who Drewitt signed on loan with a view to a permanent move. A 2-0 win, and once again the lads climbed the league table.

Then, the big game with more than just football on the agenda. Bedworth United v Worcester City. What a night for the Greenbacks running out 4-0 winners, but a great performance from Adam Webster just added to the controversy.

The lads the faced Redditch United at the Valley Stadium, and a man of the match performance from the Redditch keeper told its story as unlucky Greenbacks ran out 2-1 losers.

Despite rumours that Webtser would be on his way out, Ben Steane made sure that he was going nowhere by signing a 2 yr contract. The 19 year old had done enough to impress Drewitt, and the board. Ian Drewitt said "It is superb news that we have Ben on a contract, and it is all credit to the board who have backed me 100% in my desire to put the kid on a contract. He has been simply outstanding since his move, so I felt I had to act otherwise clubs would take him from under our nose. He is a vital part of my plans, and I am sure this is the right move. The kid has a bright future, and I’m delighted that he has agreed to spend his next couple of a promising few years at The Oval."

Just before the Evesham Clash, news broke out on BUFC--Online that the Board of Directors had accepted Worcester's FOURTH bid for Adam Webster. Him and Jamie Richardson would miss the game against Evesham.

The Greenbacks ran out 3-0 winners against Evesham with Whitmore and early sub Paul Rostron getting the goals.

A frozen Atherstone pitch meant that the Greenbacks next game was away to Cirencester, one of the lowest points of the season, with the news of Webby's departure and the worst performance of the season ended a miserable week for the Greenbacks. However, Adam Webster had the last word.

"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Bedworth United for their support over the last 3 seasons. It is any players ambition to better himself, and Worcester have offered me this, I go there with good memories of Bedworth."

"Both on and off the field the people of Bedworth United have been superb, I cant thank them enough, from the manager to the fans, you have always believed in me, and I have made some good friends in my time here. I know if I have Marcus or Ian to turn to for support or if I want to ask them anything, that’s the sort of people they are, they have backed me all the way, and when the opportunity to play at a higher level they didn't stand in my way. It has been a long, hard process for the both clubs, and I hope both parties are happy in the turnout, I go to Worcester with a point to prove, and I know people at Bedworth believe in me."

"I could go on forever, the medical staff are among the best, the likes of Pete Thompson and Gordon makes Bedworth the club they are, the support is superb home and away, the board are very ambitious, and I am sure we will meet again in the league as Ian and Marcus are doing all the right things for the club"

"Thank You all for a very happy last few years, and I look forward to seeing you all at Worcester pre-season or at some other time, all the best, Webby"

January
The lads then played one of the Greatest ever games at The Oval, a 4-3 thriller between Beduth and Moor Green, what a night.

Chippenham Town where the next visitors to The Oval, and once again the Greenbacks can count themselves unlucky not to have taken all the points from Chippenham. However, football is football and Chippenham got the 2-1 win they needed as they pushed for a promotion spot.

The game against RC Warwick was once again another tremendous Local derby. Then I woke up! A battling 1-1 draw on a heavy Oval pitch meant once again the teams could not be broken again.

Febuary
The lads then travelled to Evesham and despite going 2-1 up, with Martin Crowley scoring that wonder goal from 35 yards, the lads could only manage to lose their lead going down 3-2 losers. It was an interesting day, with a doubtful start to the day regarding the weather, then the lads having to warm up off site!

The home game against Ciren saw the lads get a 2-1 win, with new signing Dave Aston starting his Bedworth United career on the bench.

Then, unfortunately, Atherstone United contributed to one of the darkest games in BUFC's season. A miserable night in Atherstone lead to the lads completely underperforming and losing 3-1. Drewitt left fuming once again "I have never been embarrassed either playing or managing football. I can tell you I am now, that was simply an embarrassment to myself, and I hope to the players too. It is just about acceptable when two or three players do not perform, but when 8 or 9 don’t perform it is beyond a joke. All I can do is give my greatest apologies to the fans who saw that, it was a shambles." I for one would not have liked to be in that changing room.

The lads then had to made the long trip down to the coast of Clevedon for the first long away trip of the season. It was a day to remember as the lads sealed a superb 1-0 win against a strong Clevedon, one defiantly enjoyed by the fans that made the trip south.

Solihull were the next opponents in the Dr Martens Cup. On a night that heaved it down with rain the lads made a great start to the game going 2-0 up. But Drewitt had to once again give his players a telling off as they conceded three goals to knock themselves out the Dr Martens Cup. Another wet night lead to another atmospheric interview with Drewitt. "They have really cheesed me off tonight, too many of them have bottled it, we go two nil up, and we haven't scored here for three years, and what more do they want?

"Me and Marcus said we do our job and we put you out in the right frame of mind bar from a few things we see from the side of the pitch, there is not a lot more we can do."

Things were not going to get any prettier when the lads took on Cinderford Town at The Oval, 3 late goals meant the lads now were having a pretty bad week, but, the beginning of March would lift the spirits all round the club.

March
March started with a bang. The Greenbacks seemed to click against Gloucester City, and when the Tigers came to The Oval for the game between the two clubs. A Chris Partridge hat-trick, his 5th against Gloucester this season put the Tigers to rest as Bedworth won 4-1.

Mangotsfield however would return the scoreline as they thumped a disappointing Greenbacks 4-1 on a dark night at The Oval, and, unfortunately the next opponents were Halesowen, top, and flying, and even star Debut keeper Gary Hateley could not stop the leaders as they grabbed the 3 points as they squeeze ever so nearer to the Dr Martens Premier.

Redditch gave the lads the opportunity to get back on rack, and a Ross Harrison hat-trick was just the trick in a very atmospheric game at The Oval. Law said after the game how he was "Determined to win the game" they certainly did that!!

Weston super Mare were the next opponents and a very active game saw the Greenbacks lose out to the points on a pitch that looked like moles had taken over! As the Greenbacks fans moved around the ground to exit, a certain Welshamn's voice could clearly be heard. It was quite obvious that Drewitt was once again disappointed.

Rocester at home, and Clevedon also at home, were two very inactive games, but a 1-0 win against Rocester and a 1-1 draw against Clevedon meant the Greenbacks gained another 4 vital points as they pushed to finish in their best season since 1998.

April
An early departure from work for the lads as they travelled to Cinderford on Tuesday night, and it was certainly worth it as the Greenbacks battered Cinderford with a quality performance as we strolled 4-2 winners. An Ian Drewitt special goal was the perfect tonic. You guessed it, a 5 yard bobbler!!! Chris Partridge also got another hat-trick as he strived to be one of the hottest strikers in the league. The drive home was certainly enjoyed by most.

However, a battling to survive Swindon Supermarines were next on the agenda for the Greenbacks. Certainly not the best time to play the struggling West side, and this proved as the lads were just another statistic in their survival hunt as the hosts ran away 2-0 winners.

Stourport were the next visitors in the final home game of the 2001-2002 season not exactly the most entertaining end to the season with a solid draw, but the draw was enough for Drewitt and enough to ensure the Greenbacks had their greatest finish since the dark days of 1998.

However the final game of the league season was simply outstanding, as the reserve strolled t a win over Willenhall, the first team gained a fantastic win over league winners Halesowen, the cracking support from the Greenbacks wrapped up a perfect day, applauded by the players the fans have been brilliant this season, but so have the players. Lets not dwell on the past, but end quickly by saying next year will be better, so stick around because Bedworth are on the trail back.

By James Earl - Editor www.bedworthunited.co.uk