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Fresh faces, renewed hope and new expectation. Despite the mid table mediocrity of last season, Heybridge Swifts are aiming high for 2025/26. Playoffs are the aim for the Swifts this season, and they have revamped their side to improve on last seasons position. Throughout this piece, I will be analysing the Swifts ahead of the new campaign, assessing their credibility as playoff contenders in a highly competitive league. 

Last seasons struggles

Last season offered its share of lessons. There were stretches when the Swifts looked every inch a side capable of troubling anyone in the division, the months of October- January saw the club consistently in, or just outside the playoff places. Consistency was lacking from there on in, as from the start of 2025 onwards the Swifts began to gradually fall down the league, eventually ending the season in 14^th. The Swifts found themselves in 5^th on Christmas day, highlighting just how much the club fell away in the second half of the season. Speaking on reflection following the conclusion of the season, chairman Steve Spreadbury said “I think ultimately, we just lacked that little bit of experience when times got tough. We spiralled a bit when we lost one, we eventually lost 2 or 3 more in a row. That’s something we will need to change next year if we want to compete a bit more”. Despite a few rumblings around the club, Swifts have decided to stick with manager Julian Dicks for another season. Dicks too will be keen to improve quickly on the struggles at the back end of last season, to end any questions around his position as manager. So, what has changed ahead of the new campaign?  

A focus on experience

The average age of last seasons most used starting 11 came to just 24 years of age, and that’s with 36-year-old midfielder Billy Crook regularly featuring to bring that average up substantially. Ahead of the new season Julian Dicks has strengthened the core of his side substantially. Dicks has leaned on his past successes at the club, bringing back 3 members of his former players from previous seasons. Swifts’ fans will have been delighted to see the return of towering defender, Myles Anderson, who returns to the club after two years away. Myles was part of Dicks’s side who reached the playoff final in 2021 before the managers departure from the club. Anderson also becomes the new club vice-captain in a revamp of the club’s leadership team. The club captain has been announced as midfielder Connor Hogan. Hogan has won promotion from the division twice before, so his experience and winning mentality will be vital if the Swifts are to be contenders for the promotion spots this season.

Julian Dicks also moved to secure the return of blistering winger Rob Harvey. Harvey has played over 100 games in the black and white of Heybridge and returns to the club with renewed ambition and hunger for success. Speaking on the return of Harvey, Dicks said “Rob is someone I have huge respect for. He works incredibly hard in not just games, but every session in training and that’s what I want from my boys. Rob gives us pace which is vital at any level of football, and I believe he will be important for us this season for sure” Harvey will form an exciting attacking partnership with non-league journeyman Tom Richardson. Richardson is yet another high-profile name signed by Dicks ahead of the 2025/26 season. Having recently securing back-to-back promotions with Aveley, Richardson is certainly no stranger to winning and knows exactly what it takes to win promotion. So, with these signings all through the door, it promises to be an exciting season for those of a Heybridge persuasion. But what is a realistic aim for this season? 

What to expect from the Swifts this year

With wholesale changes through the door, it’ll be fascinating to see how this new look Swifts side shapes up for the new season. It is clear to see that the club have placed a focus on the importance and value of having experienced winners in the side if you’re looking to secure promotion. To play devil’s advocate, could the Swifts side maybe now be too overloaded with older legs that means stamina and pace may be lacking? The Isthmian North division is always an incredibly competitive league, and is usually a season that goes right down to the final game of the season. It would be naïve of Heybridge Swifts to think that they will be in the playoff spots come the end of the season. It is widely anticipated that local neighbours Maldon and Tiptree will be champions come May due to their financial resources and high-profile signings, but the rest of the league remains open and largely unpredictable.

Manager Julian Dicks spoke to me recently about his team’s chances this year in a brief interview “The league looks strong to me. It’s always a competitive league, but not always the highest quality. I think this year may be different, as from what I’ve seen there is lots of higher-level players that are coming to play in this division now. And that’s the same for us.” As the season approaches, anticipation grows. The loyal Swifts faithful will be hoping for and anticipating an exciting 9 months ahead. Swifts have rocked back in the recent days however with a long-term injury to first choice goalkeeper Callum Chafer. Chafer has been a regular in the side for the past 3 years, but the club announced that he will miss at least the first 5 months of the season. So, the Swifts have already been hit with a major injury blow before the season has got underway officially. It has been a positive preseason for the club, and the fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the campaign for the men in black and white. 

NOTE TO MARKER- Dave King has approved this submission being outdated due to the original date I was due to submit.

Ahead of the season start, we caught up with new captain Conor Hogan to get his thoughts and expectations for the upcoming season.

Conor Hogan- The new leader of the pack.