Dion Sembie Ferris & Dan Wilks | Spalding United

Spalding United did it the hard way. After suffering the disappointment of finishing second with 85 points, the Tulips achieved history in the play-off final last month against Real Bedford. It was a rollercoaster of a ride for Jimmy Dean's side. Failing to finish top, despite being at the summit for 125 days, as well as the Spalding boss getting sent off in their play-off semi against Halesowen Town.

📸 Keira Thurston

Having been promoted to step 3 just two years ago, it's another success for the Lincolnshire side. Weirdly going up again with the Bees, just like they did in 2024. By no means was it a disaster to be pipped to the title by Austin's side, but had it not been for the Tulips poor late season form, there fortune could have been decided much earlier.

Still, it was a historic first time promotion to step 2, and there were many key men for the side in blue. 25 goal man Jack Roberts, 21 goal man Bartosz Cybulski, experienced centre half Liam Moore, and star midfielder Alfie Bendle. I spoke though with two other key Tulips, first choice goalkeeper Dan Wilks & highest appearing 25/26 midfielder Dion Sembie Ferris.

30 year old Sembie-Ferris joined the club in the summer of 24 from National North Peterborough Sports, and brought League One experience from Colchester United a decade ago now with him. He featured in all but two of their league games last season, and had a very respectable 60% win percentage.

"It’s an incredible feeling that not everyone gets to experience in their career. I’ve been fortunate enough to now be part of three promotions with two of them being in the Southern Premier Central, both done through the play offs. It's another special one for me, but also for this club

"It was very interesting campaign this time around. I became a bit of an all rounder, playing out wide, in the 10 and then finding a more consistent role as a right back for the first time in my career. I’m lucky enough to be playing around some talented players and also under incredible management so it’s been very easy to adjust to life there.

"Me and Jack (Roberts) formed a great understanding of each other and I feel that benefited not just each of us but the club on a whole in our quest for promotion. I feel like my individual performances were pretty solid with it being my first time in a defensive position being an attacker my whole life.

"I felt like I took to the role well and really came into my own providing a number of assists one of them being the winner in our play off final. Over the summer, I'm hopefully going to celebrate with the Spalding lot properly abroad, and too enjoy the free weekends with my family. In a couple weeks, it will be back to preparing for pre-season.

"I’ve signed up with a sports performance coach who is going to help me in the off season and pre season and during the season so I can be well prepared for everything wherever I end up. I’m not getting any younger and non league is as competitive as it’s ever been talent wise so I want to make sure I’m still keeping up with the best of them no matter what."

30 year old Dan Wilks signed for the Tulips last November from NL North Bedford Town. He featured in all 42 league games in the Southern Premier Central for St Ives Town in the 24/25 campaign, and became first choice for Spalding straight away last season, making 28 league appearances and keeping 10 clean sheets.

"I think the phrase is third times a charm. My first year in senior football, I lost the Isthmian North play-off final 1-0 to now folded Thurrock. I then missed out on promotion to the National League with Welling United, losing 1-0 to Woking in the NLS play off final. So to finally win promotion, and in the manner that we did only makes it even more special for me.

It’s been magic this season for me. After a tricky time on and off the pitch at Bedford, the opportunity came to get my season back on track when the now gaffer, Jimmy Dean, called me. I feel like I grabbed it with both hands and never looked back. Keeping 10 clean sheets in 28 games, I feel I played my part in helping the team win promotion. I tend to work hard throughout the season and make the most of the off-season by travelling and catching up with friends and family time you often have to sacrifice during the season.

"This summer for me, it’s off to Marbella with the squad, Portugal with friends & Tunisia and Holland with my girlfriend. If I’m not out the country, you’ll find me on the golf course. I can't wait to get back out on that pitch at Sir Halley Stewart Field in the National League North next season. We want to make it special for everyone."

Spalding's season was defined by their amazing ability to score second half goals. Dean's side scored 62 goals in the final 45 of matches throughout the campaign, and that tally was 13 better than the next best in the league. It was also double the amount that nine sides in the league were able to score.

Quite a random one, but their relationship with scoring in the first 45 at home was a romantic one. They had just five games out of the 21 they played at home in the regular season, where a goal didn't come to the side in blue at Sir Halley Stewart Field. Two fewer than the next lowest of Needham Market, Quorn & Redditch United (7)

Lastly, their goalscoring ability late on in halves was also a standout feature of their campaign. Across the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time at the end of both the first and second halves of matches, they scored a whopping 52 goals. 13 more goals than the league's next best.

A season to remember for Jimmy Dean's side, and the upcoming 26/27 couldn't have started any better. 17 players from last season have been retained, including Sembie-Ferris, Roberts, Moore & Cybulski, as well as new signings Dan Jarvis, Peter Crook & Ashton Fox being added to the squad.