IN: So, I’m delighted to welcome back to the Toolstation Western League podcast Ray Johnston, the manager of Radstock Town. This is obviously the first time we’ve spoken, Ray, in your new position. And it’s taken me longer to get around to you than I’d hoped, but I’ve been waiting for that first win of the season. So, what on earth has been going on?

RJ: Well, with this rate, it could be bleeding Christmas, I reckon. Now, to be honest, we started off against it, we’re a bit behind the black, behind the eight ball to start with. We knew the situation that me and Elliot were taking on, and gradually it has been getting better each week. I’m sure the first win is just around the corner.

IN: That was my analysis as well. You’ve had a couple of near misses, recently. Is it frustrating that you’ve been playing some of the sides around you that perhaps you would have thought that you would have taken three points off, but you haven’t been able to get over the line?

RJ: So in the Gillingham game, we were absolutely horrendous. And to be fair, we deserve everything we got. It was a horror show to watch. Other than that, the last month, six weeks, the performances have not been bad, and we’ve had a little bit of unfortunate officiating, just a little bit unlucky at times. We are in a better place now than we’ve been for quite some time in terms of where the squad is; when we started, we must have used nearly 40 players I would have thought this season, and at the start of the season, we were getting players in to fulfil fixtures. Now we’ve got a squad, and the spirit that we have within the current unit, actually, if we could only win a game, it’d be brilliant. We’ve got a good bunch of lads that really enjoy each other’s company, we just need that elusive win now to cement that and then kick on. We are sure it’s close and when it does happen, it’s going to be good fun to be around.

IN: Because Gillingham is the blueprint, isn’t it? They had a difficult start to this season, but after they picked up their first win, they’ve been playing like Manchester City.

RJ: Again, they deservedly beat us. And despite not playing very well on the day, even then that was only a 2-1. We had opportunities right at the end and they were hanging on for their win, but I can’t take anything away from them. They deserved that on the day. Other than that game, that was a bit of a blip, but it’s just a shame that the blips have been against sides that we’d have fancied our chances with. The games we played well against Brislington, we lost 1-0, and Wincanton who are a terrific side. We’ve just been a little bit unfortunate, but there’s plenty to be positive about despite the fact that it’s November and we haven’t won a game yet.

IN: From the time you and I have been speaking on the Western League podcast, you were very successful at Odd Down, and you did a very good job at Hallen as well. Of course, both of those teams are in the Premier Division. In your managerial career, have you ever been in this sort of position before? It feels like you’re doing a bit of a Red Adair job, you know, firefighting.

RJ: It’s probably underselling it a bit. The fella that was in charge before had to resign on health reasons and I’ve been up against it a bit really, because some of the best players in the club are actually deciding they want to play in our reserve team this year. It’s a bit of a shame, we’ve had to recruit pretty much a brand-new squad. So, firefighting yes, but again, I knew the job when I went for the interview, it’s not like I was mis-sold the job at all. We knew, and the club knew, the problems we were going to face. They’ve been ridiculously supportive since, and long may that continue, and hopefully we can pay that back.

IN: Your relationship with Radstock predates this current appointment, doesn’t it? Was that part of the reason why you wanted to take that job?

RJ: I knew they were good people - they’re terrific people - Simon and Dave and others at the club. It’s a nice place, it’s got a decent atmosphere and I’m desperate to turn it around for them as much as anything else.

IN: So, what are your ambitions for this season?

RJ: Oh, my God. Well, let’s just win a game first and then take it from there! Let’s not over think that because otherwise I could get quite sad.

IN: But on a serious note, the club have flirted with promotion in recent seasons. I mean, Covid put pay to one fantastic opportunity, and they were in the playoffs last season. So ultimately, do you feel that Radstock Town is a football club that should be playing in the Premier Division?

RJ: You are where you are because you deserve to be where you are. I can’t worry about what happened before, I have to just worry about the next game. So, it kind of is like that, you know, yes, it could. But you are where you are, you’re where you deserve to be, I suppose. That’s kind of the way that football levels itself out. We’ve got to have a strong second half to the season, and I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen over the last few weeks to think that we can do that.

IN: Next season the Western League will be merging with the Southwest Peninsula League. I know the travel distance has been an issue that you have been quite outspoken about over the years. So, I guess that that’s news you welcome?

RJ: The distance is what it is. But what I couldn’t understand is how we couldn’t just have a system where the Peninsula League wasn’t a feeder league for the Southern League. I couldn’t understand the reasons. Obviously, once you’re in the Southern League, travelling is part of what you expect and, you know, the Western League, the Peninsula League, they’ve got their own leagues, and they’re all of a similar standard. So, there’ll be good sides and beatable sides in our leagues, as well as the Hellenic, as well as the Peninsular. So, there’s no reason why that shouldn’t be a feeder league for the step four also. And it just baffled me because I couldn’t get it.

It looks like common sense has now prevailed and fingers crossed that can continue.

IN: If we get back to the First Division, you mentioned that you’ve already come up against some of the best teams in the division; Wincanton, Wells, Brislington. Which teams have impressed you the most?

RJ: Brislington’s resources and their squad would say that they’re going to be there or thereabouts. The best side we played was Portishead and probably Wells, but we played them when we were, with all due respect, not in as good a place as where we are now. The one team that’s impressed me the most, and we haven’t played them yet, is Nailsea. I think they’ve got to be massive contenders just because of the number of goals they score.

IN: On Saturday, you entertain Longwell Green at Southfields recreation ground. Ray, dare we dream?

RJ: No, definitely not. We had a 3-0 lead against them in the away leg and managed to fluff that. If it wasn’t for our keeper we would have conceded a fourth right at the end. That was possibly the best hour of football that we had played so far to that point, and then managed to throw it away. So, that pretty much highlights where the confidence is, but, I feel that we’re improving every week. I feel that we’re a handful for teams, even if teams end up beating us. I think we’re more of a problem - I mean, Gillingham aside, Wincanton will probably say that we were a tough match and Almondsbury were delighted with a point I think, judging by the balance of play on Saturday. We’re in that position now, I think if we can get one and capitalise on the good feeling around that - bizarrely we’re bottom, like I say, we’ve not won a game but the atmosphere in the clubhouse is outstanding. If we could just only win a game, it would be even better.