By Callum Burgess

The day is the 22nd of March, 2025. Only a point against Kempston Rovers was necessary for MK Irish to win the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, but the side were as ruthless as they’d been throughout the season, running out as 3-0 winners at Manor Fields. 

As the team celebrated its league title and promotion to the Southern League Division One Central, there was an underlying sense of anticipation and excitement about the challenge ahead.

After winning 3-2 in their first fixture of the season against Heybridge Swifts in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, their eyes turn to focus on the opening league fixture against Welwyn Garden City FC. 

The Citizens have been a permanent fixture of this league since 2018, and they could prove to be a real test to MK Irish when they line-up at Manor Fields on Saturday.

Welwyn Garden City will be making their first away appearance of the season after beating Biggleswade FC 2-0 at home in the FA Cup last week.

Ever since their creation in 2020, MK Irish have had incredible success in the last four years, securing two promotions to achieve a Step 4 place in the non-league pyramid, whereas Welwyn boasts a rich history after being established in 1921.  

This weekend’s opponents were led to a 9th-place finish under their current manager, Marc Weatherstone, last season, cementing them as safe in the division but separating themselves from the 5th-place playoff places whilst MK Irish will be confident coming into this season after impressively winning the SSML title on Non-League Day with four games remaining. 

These two sides played against each other last season when Mason Spence and George Shrieves scored inside 20 minutes to award MK Irish a 2-0 win against Welwyn Garden City in the FA Cup. 

Despite being a level below their opponents last season, MK Irish ran out comfortable winners and have added even more talented players to their ranks throughout preseason.

After the win against Heybridge Swifts, Terry Shrieves was firm with his beliefs about the club moving into Step 4, that “every game will be a tough game (this season)”. Shrieves also stated that “you’ll have to fight for everything at this level of football.” 

The upcoming season will prove to be a challenge but the deep-rooted never-say-die attitude at MK Irish will put them in good stead for the Southern League Division One Central.