The first season back under Phil, John, Kev and Paddy started off brightly. After more or less signing on a completely new team of players from teams such as Boys Club, Slyne with Hest and Middleton (in fact only Clemmy, Sean and Brett remained from the previous season) we went into our first game full of confidence and a 6-1 opening day win at home to Swarthmoor Reserves only enhanced that good feeling. However after then losing 3 of our next 4 it was realised that promotion was, even at this early stage, going to be difficult. This inconsistency carried on for much of the first half of the season and when we then went 5 games without a win, losing 4 of them including the Challenge Cup game v premier team Morecambe Royals we knew that promotion was now a non starter. Skipper Sean's sudden illness was also a massive blow to not only the team but also his family and friends and with Phil then having to spend much time travelling back and forth to Manchester the team was, for a few weeks, left to John and Kev. Two wins against Torrisholme and then Arnside in the Whiteside Cup under John and Kev gave the team a much needed boost and although promotion was now off the cards, a top five league position and a cup final appearance were now the clubs target. An injury to Liam however coupled with Andy Parky's injury, Jimmy's loss of form, Sean's illness and Nicks lengthy suspension brought it home that fresh blood was required. We had been trying to sign centre forward Pally all season but for obvious reasons he was a little unsure. It was only when it was stated that one new player was never going to be enough that we pulled out all the stops to bring Pally from Slyne, by bringing in not only Pally but also midfielder Bushy and ex Freeholder Mick Parky as coach both of whom Kev had met in a chance meeting at Ronnie Craw's 40th Birthday in early December. Freehold also added strength in depth by also signing unattached midfielder/forward Bruno, Simmi's cousin. There first game v Morecambe CC ended in an undeserved 2-0 defeat but with Nick now back, Jimmy bang on form and Bruno, Pally and Bushy on board we then went on a run of just 3 defeats in 17 games. Bushy settled in immediately while Bruno made a big difference whenever called upon despite his lack of match fitness, and although Pally at times struggled in front of goal he did make a massive difference to our overall team play with his unselfish attitude and superb work rate. Along with Mick Parky's fresh new approach to training the team really started to fire on all cylinders, and cup wins against Middleton and a nerve racking 3-2 semi final win v Morecambe CC set up a cup final date with Bowerham at Lancaster City's Giant Axe. Although we lost 3-0 in the final to a VERY GOOD Bowerham team the league form continued and a 2-1 win at Arnside on the final day secured a top five place and a springboard for the 2008-09 season.