2024: Year in Review

It’s been a remarkable few years for the Methodists, but arguably no 12 month period in the clubs history has been quite as impressive as 2024. Join us as we look back at the year for Quorn Football Club.

January began with a clunk, losing 3-0 away to Boldmere St. Michaels in a blunt performance that was possibly the worst showing from the Reds in the past three seasons. That afternoon in the West Midlands felt like a wake-up call though, and the arrival of Jamie Hood helped spark a defensive revival as Quorn embarked on an eight-match unbeaten run.

The Reds won six of those eight, with home draws against familiar foes Corby Town and Anstey Nomads. Courey Grantham scored four in the first five games of that run, only drawing a blank in the 0-0 draw with the Steelmen. Then, Paddy Webb took over goalscoring duties, scoring in five straight matches.

The run was interrupted in February when Manager Richard Lavery and Assistant Tom Cherry departed for Kettering Town, taking full-back Charlie Marzano with them. Ant Carney stepped up to Player/Manager, ably assisted by Matt Green, and didn’t miss a beat, winning three straight at the end of the run.

Carney would eventually taste defeat, falling 5-3 away to Sutton Coldfield Town in mid-March. The Reds bounced back in style with a 7-1 mauling of AFC Rushden & Diamonds at Farley Way. A hard-fought 2-2 draw at Anstey followed before a 1-0 victory in another local derby at home to Shepshed Dynamo kicked off April.

Quorn were desperately unlucky to lose 2-1 at home to Spalding United, their only defeat at Fortress Farley in 2024, as the Tulips found two late goals on their way to the title. Had they not been docked points, Harborough Town would have won the league, and they displayed their credentials in a 5-0 win over the Reds in mid-April. The playoffs were still a possibility despite the back-to-back defeats.

A tremendous midweek performance at Walsall Wood got the Reds back on track and fifth place was all but assured by a 4-0 win at home to playoff chasing Lye Town. Needing just to avoid defeat and a 10 goal swing in goal difference away to Bedworth United, a much-changed Quorn side played out an uneventful 1-1 draw at the Oval.

 The point confirmed Quorn’s best ever league finish as Loughborough Dynamo suffered a heavy defeat at Harborough Town anyway. There was no time to rest for the Reds as just three days later they returned to Cropston Road for a playoff semi-final versus Anstey Nomads. The Methodists were scintillating for 45 minutes, taking the lead through Webb, but unfortunately there were two minutes of stoppage time and the Nomads scored two set-pieces to wrestle control of the game.

With their noses in front Anstey were able to see out the game, adding a third in the second half for good measure. Shortly after the match Carney announced his retirement from football and the search for a successor began. Chairman Stuart Turner didn’t have to look far, as the answer was right in front of him, again appointing a Player/Manager from the current squad.

Ryan Beswick took over the reigns in the summer and, appointing Shaun Wilkes as his Assistant, immediately began to overhaul an already decent squad. Tyree Wilson joined Lavery at Kettering Town and Kyle Bryant was allowed to leave for Belper United. Pat Zito joined hometown club Coventry Sphinx, where he would later be joined by Charlie Woods, who arrived via a spell with Alvechurch.

Mason Frizelle and Jasper Tetlow bolstered the defensive ranks, and the decision to move Jack Samples to left-back proved a masterstroke. Tom Allsopp took over between the posts and Jack York supplanted Tom Hilton in midfield, who would later join Heanor Town.

Attacking options were bolstered in the summer by the arrival Zak Goodson, who was joined by Jordan Clarke and Rodrigo Goncalves as the season progressed. A string of impressive preseason results saw wins against higher level opposition in the shape of Alvechurch, Spalding United and Brackley Town, with the only defeat at the hands of NPL East side Ossett United.

The good form was carried over into the season and despite falling behind early to Sutton Coldfield Town, The Reds quickly recovered to open the season with a 5-1 win. A late equaliser from Webb rescued a point at Long Eaton United before a heavy defeat on the road in the FA Cup saw Quorn depart the competition in preliminary round as NPL East leaders Cleethorpes Town comfortably despatched an out of sorts looking Reds side 4-0.

The Reds drew another blank in the next match, a 0-0 draw at home to Anstey Nomads, in front of a bumper crowd of 584 on the August Bank Holiday. From that point on, Quorn would win 14 straight in the league, building a commanding lead in the process. There would be another blip though as Beswick’s side suffered another heavy cup defeat, this time 4-1 away to big-spending Hednesford Town in the FA Trophy.

Whilst FA competitions have been Quorn’s kryptonite this season, the County Cup has proved no such issue, with a host of Under 18s making the step up in draws with Hinckley AFC and Lutterworth Town, with the Reds prevailing on penalties on both occasions. Draws in consecutive home games against Darlaston Town and Worcester City meant Quorn went almost six weeks without a win at the newly renamed Stotto Stadium, finally snapping the hoodoo against Shepshed Dynamo on Boxing Day.

Lopsided away wins at Rugby Town and Coventry Sphinx appeared to help steer the Reds back on track and the away win at Anstey Nomads to close 2024 meant a new winning streak had begun. The Reds close the year with incredible numbers in the league, leading by 19 points, unbeaten through the opening 24 matches, winners of twelve straight away from home and boasting a goal difference of plus 50.

Other notable developments saw a fresh new badge introduced, marking our centenary, as well as the backing of numerous sponsors, with several new boards at the ground, a couple of new kit sponsors and the successful sale of all matchday sponsorship packages. The summer merger with FC Seagrave has seen an enormous boost to the junior set-up, which now features an emerging girls set-up. Finally, our average attendance for league games is just shy of 300, way ahead of the 250 target for this season.

2024 has been an incredible year for Quorn Football Club, and we’d love to thank our coaches, players, staff, volunteers, sponsors and, most of all, the fans. Let’s hope for continued success in 2025.