David Ballheimer fears a tough season could be ahead

Hendon FC players celebrating a goal – (Credit – Derek Beech)

Hendon enter the 2025–26 season in their lowest pyramid position since 1912, having been relegated to the second tier of the Isthmian League in the spring.

All the hope and positivity of the start of 2024–25 disappeared in December when manager Lee Allinson departed for Hemel Hempstead Town. Almost all of Allinson’s squad departed for pastures new, leaving only Dave Diedhiou and Niko Muir from those at Silver Jubilee Park in August.

Diedhiou was injured on Boxing Day and missed the remainder of the season as the Greens failed to win 21 League consecutive fixtures. Even so, relegation was confirmed only with three games remaining and the distance from safety was a mere four points.

Manager Ben Bukowski, who took over from Marc Charles-Smith in mid-January, remains in charge, but with a new assistant in former central defender Ryan Wharton. Keagan Cole, another former player, who had been Bukowski’s assistant last season, remains as a player as do Diedhiou, Rohdell Gordon, Nikolai Krokhin, Stephan Langley, Shaun Lucien, Muir, Paulie Schuster and J’Ardell Stirling.

Wide man Lucien, who missed almost all of last season, has star quality if he can regain full fitness, and if he, Cole – who made 100 Hendon appearances before his 20th birthday in the 2010s – and Rohdell Gordon, who a decade ago was leading the line in the National League with Bromley – will create a strong trio at the heart of the pitch.

Young centre-back Nikolai Krokhin impressed in his few months at Silver Jubilee Park and he should anchor the defence, especially if he and Diedhiou can form a dominant partnership. The likely choices for full-back are Javon Marquis, from Spelthorne Sports, and Tariq Straker formerly with Rayners Lane and Bowers & Pitsea.

Between the posts will be goalkeeper Josh Strizovic, a much-travelled 25-year-old released by Dagenham & Redbridge, who has played on loan at, among others, Harrow Borough, Hashtag United, Whitehawk and Chertsey Town, all step 3 teams at the time.

Many of Hendon’s League opponents will be new to the Greens, certainly when it comes to battles for points. Among August opponents Hendon previously have played Bedfont Sports, Hanworth Villa and Fareham Town in cup competitions, but there will be a number of old friends renewing League rivalry during 2025–26, including Harrow Borough, Kingstonian, Hayes & Yeading United, Metropolitan Police and oldest of all Southall – this one dates back to January 1919, when Hendon were Hampstead Town.

In the FA Cup and FA Trophy, Hendon are entering earlier than previously: in the FA Cup preliminary Road and FA Trophy first round qualifying. Hendon’s last FA Cup preliminary round appearance was in 1981 – and the Greens won five matches on their way to the first round proper.

Predicting a League finish is almost impossible as this is very much a leap into the unknown. Some of last season’s performances deserved better outcomes and if those are repeated this time around, there is no reason to think the playoffs would be attainable. If the bad shows recur in 2025–26, then it will be a season of struggle.

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