Stability and teamwork are key to the club overcoming lack of spending power, writes Andrew Warshaw

Enfield Town played out a 0-0 draw with Maidenhead in their first home game of 2025/26

Enfield Town might not have got off to an ideal start to the season, but a healthy amount of perspective is required.

The opening three games against Torquay, Maidenhead and Hornchurch yielded just a solitary point. The fact that two of the aforementioned opponents are full-time clubs with fully professional players, and the other also big spenders, says everything about the task facing the borough’s leading club in its efforts to be competitive, while at the same time balancing the books.

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, further games against Totton and Worthing offered up just one more point, and no goals whatsoever – with the Totton game seeing Town lose at home to an injury-time strike.

It’s a reminder that National League South is even stronger than last season, when fan-owned Town managed to survive in their debut campaign. The recent debacle over National League side Morecambe, which came within a whisker of going under before being saved at the eleventh hour, shows just how precarious the game can be at lower-league level, and Towners chairman Paul Reed and his board are under no illusions.

“It’s clear from the calibre of players being attracted to our league that we’re sitting amongst the smallest spenders in the division, despite being able to give the manager a modest increase in his playing budget,” said Paul.

“There is some serious money being spent by a good number of teams, all with aspirations of promotion. With only two spaces available, it’s going to leave a lot of unhappy and out-of-pocket owners come May.

“Our own ownership model obviously has its limitations in terms of our spending power, but it does ensure that we do not live beyond our means, so that the club is protected for future generations.

“Events at Morecambe of late have shown how precarious a football club’s existence can be if it isn’t managed well. We as a board are always working hard to strike a balance between providing the best possible playing budget and the need to ensure we remain financially solvent.”

It’s a hugely important point, and one that fans of some clubs tend to ignore in the ruthless quest for success. While everyone involved at Enfield Town is keen for the club to progress from last season, there is a responsible sense of realism in terms of what that looks like.

On the field the club’s new signings are bedding in well and getting used to a new environment. Off it, togetherness is growing and there is a regular new face in the dugout alongside Gavin Macpherson.

Earlier this summer, Jon Underwood joined the club as number two to Gavin, and has already made his mark – his calm exterior has complemented the manager’s more animated style.

‘Unders’, as he known, has years of experience at non-league level and has already formed a thriving relationship with the rest of the coaching staff. “I received an out-of-the-blue call from Gav a few weeks back asking if I’d be interested,” he said.

“I’ve always got on well with Gav and the big attraction for me was getting back into this league after a couple of years.”

Paramount to his decision was the way the club is structured. “Everything I’d heard was really positive, obviously the way it’s run and the supporters. It’s never easy to go from step three into step two. There’s a lot to be excited about and lots of reasons to be here.”

Town’s special fan-based ethos was a particular attraction. “I wanted to be at a club where everyone was pulling in the same direction, that’s the most important thing,” Unders continued. “From everything I hear, even in some of the tough times last season, everyone was behind Gav and the team.

“For me that’s massive because at a lot of clubs it’s not like that and the fans get on your back.”

Unders believes his management skills will be put to good use in the dugout. It’s unlikely, for instance. you will see him charging up and down the touchline gesticulating.

“I know this league, I know the level, and I’d like to think I’m quite a calm person on the sidelines.

“Someone who can see things, spot things and come to Gavin with ideas and solutions. It can be a lonely place as a manager.

“I know some of the challenges when you’re trying to recruit against some clubs. We shouldn’t be scared, we’ve got good players here and an experienced management team. It’s going to be difficult but Gavin and I bounce off each other and hopefully I’ll be a good support.”

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