“It was a disappointing start because we lost the spine of our team late in the summer – we lost a really good midfielder, our star striker and we lost our quickest centre-half.”

After a 2-1 win over Sheffield United Community Foundation in their second league match was followed up by seven consecutive defeats in which Kiveton Park failed to score and conceded 30 goals.

The final of these defeats saw just nine players take to the pitch in a heavy defeat against West Yorkshire side Altofts.

“We had two banks of four and put all our paciest player on the left, and we held them to 1-0 at half time.

“The players were fantastic, and it was a big breakthrough for me that – I thought these girls are understanding, they’re listening.

“Obviously with nine players you’re going to tire in the second half, and we caved n eventually.”

Kiveton Park would go on to lose the game 6-0, but both the referees and opposing coaches went out of their way to praise the team for their efforts afterwards.

but would pick up a draw in the following week’s fixture against Sheffield Wednesday Ladies.

Johnson explained that the difficulty in these situations was deepened by the complication of teams from the club playing at the same time.

“The reserve team side are at home against a bottom of the league side that they’re more than likely going to get a bucketful of goals against, it’s very difficult to convince a parent to bring a new player or someone that tries that wants to play first team, it’s a mindset. If you ain’t got that ambition to play in the first team, you’re gonna struggle.”

Kiveton would go on to end the season in ninth place of 11 teams, finishing ahead of only Oughtibridge War Memorial, who folded during the season, and Sheffield United Community Foundation, who won just one of their 18 league matches and are set to be relegated to the seventh tier.

Aims for the New Season

Johnson said that the aim for the 2025/2026 season was to consolidate and make themselves able to compete in the sixth tier, but that they’d love for the club to kick on further if possible.

“Well it’s the basics isn’t it, you’ve got to be committed, and willing to work hard, so that’s what I think got us up, and that’s the plan this season, build on what we’ve got.

“It’s very tough when you’re losing heavily to change the mindset of your players and the dwindling confidence, so that was a key thing last season.”

Johnson also said a reason for the struggles that Kiveton have faced this season has been issues with recruitment, with teams around them able to snap up players first.

“Ambitious players will try and get into Rotherham and Barnsley, then they’ll filter down [to Tier 5]. Brunsmeer are there now and Handsworth have had a great season.

“I’m sure people will go there before they come to us, because we’re a little bit out of the way.”

The club is based near to Junction 31 of the M1, seven miles from the border with Nottinghamshire and seven miles from the border with Derbyshire.

They now also compete for signings with more Nottinghamshire teams following the development of SJR Worksop, who Johnson says are a huge club who’ve got scouting infrastructure in the women’s game, as well as with Handsworth and Sheffield Wednesday.

Johnson also spoke about how recruitment is so key to a side’s success at Tier 6, and how overlooked positions can help a side keep it’s head above water and the relegation zone.

As well as losing three key players outfield in last year’s off-season, Kiveton Park’s goalkeeper also departed the club, meaning all core areas of the team had key departures.

“The goalkeeping situation was massive – It’s a position that’s neglected everywhere, even in professional football. It’s so important, but we’ve got a really good goalkeeper now that joined partway through the season, and she’s committed to the club.

Summer Recruitment

Turning the attention to this summer’s recruitment, SYWF asked Johnson what three positions he’d like to strengthen before the new season begins.

“We’ve got about two-thirds of last season’s playing squad committed, but definitely a midfielder, a forward and a winger.”

Johnson explained that they have been short in these areas this season for reasons such as players leaving, but also long-term injuries to key players.

“A lot of players have had to be very versatile last season. That can be challenging sometimes if someone thinks they’re a full back and you’re asking them to play wing.

“Even if it’s an older player that’s played in that position all their life, it can be challenging to ask players to do roles that they’re uncomfortable with.”

Johnson is more confident about the teams chances for next season, saying “the plan next season is to build on what we’ve got, the goal obviously is to compete at that level and be comfortable.”

The team will continue to compete in the North East Regional League Division 1 South after being placed there following the FA League allocations released on Wednesday.