10th tier club Bridport get their first league win in 427 days after receiving a lot of mocking on social media before hand.
Manager Chris Herbst said to BBC radio that his side are “over the moon” after finally ending a winless league run that stretches back to August 2021.
The non league outfit based in west Dorset produced a 3-0 victory against Plymouth Marjonin the South West Peninsula League.
“Bridport FC: Boss ‘over the moon’ after breaking 427-day winless run”. Is this our first ever mention on a national media site.? @herbsty88 #trending ! #Beelieve ⚽️⚽️⚽️🐝🐝🐝 https://t.co/nhZGF9EFHT
— Bridport FC (@Bridportfc) November 1, 2022
“The players have been working really hard and it’s paid off,” the boss told BBC Radio Solent.
“Everyone was in the Beehive [the club house] after the game and it was buzzing – the atmosphere was so good.”
The win was their first league win since the 28th of August, 2021 – a run of 38 matches – and their biggest since 2019.
Bridport had been relegated from step five of the non-league pyramid last season after a campaign which saw them concede 185 goals in 36 games.
With this in mind, the club had become a target by fans choosing to mock them over their record and woeful performances.
Herbst, who came through the club’s youth sides, only took over as manager four weeks ago having seen them ridiculed online.
“Before I came onboard it was a bit doom and gloom,” he said.
“It used to really annoy me when I would see people slagging off the club on social media so I thought, ‘I’ll just go for it [the manager position]’, because it’s in my hometown and I’m passionate about the club.
“I believe it’s about getting the right people through the door, players who want to play here instead of people who just want to make a bit of money.
“I’ve brought in some new faces and a bit more quality. It’s made a huge difference and everyone is on the same page. I’m over the moon.”
REPORT: @Bridportfc took their biggest league win since beating Chipping Sodbury 4-0 in 2019!https://t.co/0NfDVxGBiG
— Dorset Echo Sport (@Dorsetechosport) October 30, 2022
Despite the victory, Bridport remain bottom of the table with three draws and eight losses to go with their only win – but they could lift themselves off the foot with a win at the weekend and the boss now hopes his side can push on, get some good form and keep the feel good factor at the club.
“I know a few fans stopped coming to watch us because we were losing so many games and we know we need to change that – fan support is massive and it’s started to improve a bit,” the 32-year-old said.
“We’re trying to bring back a more positive outlook rather than having that feeling of getting beat all the time.
“We have more competition for places now so players do have to look over their shoulders because someone else could take their spot.
“I just want to make Bridport good again.”
Bridport take on Elburton Villa at home on Saturday, so to those in the area, living in the Dorset town, go show your support, head to a game of theirs.
There was lots of talk as the 10th tier club get their first league win in 427 days after enduring a social media mocking…
@Nick1111T: Let’s get the open-top bus going… 😆
@RobBelcher6: WOW, our passionate manager on the radio, I’m ” over the moon “. Let’s hope he doesn’t go to the next level, on TV ” In the Jungle ” Great interview Chris.
@FcUplyme: Well played 🐝
@Ade34498294: Great result 👏
@RobBelcher6: This is why I go week in, week out. In the hope that we’ll turn the corner after 2 years of hurt. In Chris we trust, what a performance, great to have Tom Richardson back home, and for me Gapey was immense in the middle. Keep it up lads ⚽️⚽️⚽️
@PaddyBehan: Well done 🐝🐝🐝….and we’ll done Chris…..stay positive n you boys will start to get the points on the board….welcome home Tom Richardson #onceabee
@sportwestdorset: Well done, fantastic result!
@snowboy18: Great game lads. 3 pts fully deserved ⚽️⚽️⚽️
@CliffPledge: Well done to the Bees 👏🐝 @Bridportfc win their first game since joining the @swpleague. Was 427 days since their last league win!
@herbsty88: Cheers mate this was fully deserved
@dorsetdom1905: Well done Bees 🐝 👏🏻👏🏻 Congratulations @herbsty88 and the lads
(Featured photo credit – dorsetdom)
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