After equalling our best-ever run of consecutive league victories as well as setting a club record for the longest time without conceding, we could also achieve a few other milestones this season.
Our best tally since the advent of three points for a win came in 1999/2000 when we reached a total of 87, and we are now only two away from equalling that with five games to go. We've also reached 85 points for the first time since we finished with that many in 2004/05. Our second-best total was in the 1998/99 season when we got 86, we scored 84 points when we won the Second Division in 1991/92 and we also got to 83 in each of the 1981/82 and 1997/98 seasons, although that 81/82 campaign (the first where 'three points for a win' was used) was in the First Division and was over 42 games instead of 46.
The most wins we have recorded in a league season is the 27 in our Third Division South championship-winning campaign of 1953/54. We are currently on 24 wins from 41 matches.
In terms of goal difference, we are certain to set a new club record as we are on +53 with five games to go and our best-ever figure is the +37 from 1998/99. Even if goal difference had been in use before it was introduced for the 1976/77 season, none of our league campaigns from our first as a professional club in the Southern League back in 1936/37 to the 1975/76 First Division would have yielded a goal difference as good as what we will finish with this year.
In terms of goals conceded, we could potentially equal our record. We are currently on 32 in the 'goals against' column, and clean sheets in our remaining five games will see us match the total from 1998/99.
Perhaps the most impressive record we could set is for the fewest defeats in a league season. We lost five of our 42 games in 1967/68 when we won the Second Division under Bill McGarry, and we have four defeats from 41 so far this campaign.
I know that Kieran McKenna, his staff and the players won't be paying any attention to the records, at least not until after the final game, and I think their constant focus on just the next match is wise, but hopefully we can be celebrating in a few weeks' time and can then reflect on the achievements of what has been a very impressive season. |  |
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