Heading in to what will be the first of nine games on the road, to close out the 2024-25 season, Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division leaders, FCV Grace Dieu, are marching towards the title, and promotion, with a rather stingy defence shutting up shop along the way.

Based in Leicestershire, the FCV Academy side are led by an experienced centre-half and captain, Keyworth’s former West Bridgford, Dunkirk et al player, Joe Lindley, he marshalling a defence that, at present, have not conceded for over 720 minutes in the league.

The last to score past them was Collingham’s Harrison Gomm, late on in the bizarre, 10-3 success for the Leicestershire club, at the end of November last year – eight clubs since then have tried, and failed, to breach the FCV back-line.

Coincidentally, the next opponents of Lindley, and FCV, are Collingham (22 February), in the first of those final nine matches.

“We’ve been flying, especially recently with all the clean sheets we’ve kept,” explained the FCV captain, ahead of the Collingham match.

“Although the ‘keepers are the ones that are highlighted, we take pride in the success, as a defensive unit.

“That Collingham game, back in November, it was a big game and the result overall took us by surprise, the same as the game with Wollaton as well, we saw that as being a shock result.

“But I’ve never been so disappointed in a result than to come away from the Collingham game, with a 10-3 win, especially stripping back the game and the fact we conceded three.

“As a unit though, nothing’s really changed there throughout the season, and we’re taking every game as it comes, especially with the challenge of how we finish the season.”

Last time around, the 2023-24 season, FCV found themselves promoted from Division One, as runners-up, to FC Cavaliers, who finished two points ahead of them – on-field, Cavs, and Stapleford Town Reserves, were the only two sides to inflict a defeat.

Their form then has certainly been transferred to, and added to, during the current campaign, starting life in the Premier Division unbeaten in five.

Now, heading into the last round of matches, FCV are unbeaten in nine (in all competitions), and seventeen in the league, their last being the only of the campaign to date, at home to Keyworth United, on 31 August.

With a decade-or-so worth of playing experience, Lindley is enjoying his football right now, saying; “I grew up in Keyworth and my first jump in the game was with Coalville Development, before bouncing around a few clubs.

“I played with West Bridgford at Step Six, and briefly at Dunkirk; I was at Rothwell when I needed to take time out to do my Masters (Lindley has a BSc Honours in Sports Science, and the MSc in Strength & Conditioning).

“Education-wise though, it’s been great for me, especially being here at FCV as well, with these lads around me.

“I’ve always known I wanted to do something in sport, it’s something I’ve always been exposed to.

“So yes, being here is a great space in which to work; for me therefore, I want to be able to continue building things there, and with my business (Lindley owns and runs Motus Sports here).”

In addition to his footballing experience in-and-around the Notts, Leics, Northants areas, late last year would also see Lindley receive an ‘international call-up,’ heading to the British Virgin Islands, providing S&C for their matches against the Cayman Islands, and Saint Kitts and Nevis (read about it here).

“A friend of mine put my name forward for that and I got a call from their Head Coach, Chris Kiwomya (ex-Ipswich Town, Arsenal, and Queens Park Rangers striker, as well as a brief stint in charge at Notts County),” continued Lindley.

“Chris asked if I’d be interested in flying out, and I had a great experience, the best time, out there, and it all happened so quickly.

“Whilst there I helped with training, warm-ups, pool sessions, S&C sessions, making sure they were ready enough for games.

“They had some really tidy players as well, young ones, some at steps three and four here in England.”

As for FCV, and that unbeaten run, that stingy defence, it’s Collingham, before trips to Radcliffe Olympic, and Southwell City Reserves takes them into mid-March.

Alongside shot-stopper Samuel Edwards, and defenders Samuel Warburton, and Harry Boorman, there’s also been the likes of Huw Emery, Zhani Burgess, Callum Hill, Ziayd Al-Oyouni, and Finley Ging.

“Our ‘keeper has been colossus, a brick wall for us, and great we can involve him, and Harry Boorman (both are England Deaf internationals),” explained Lindley.

“The communication amongst us is great, and the back four is dictated really well.

“As for (Sam) Warburton, I’ve seen his development through the academy to the first team here, and is great to play alongside.

“Then there’s Shane Clarke (FCV Head Coach, recent interview here) he takes great credit for the atmosphere we have here, what we’ve created, and the potential progression the club is on.”

Holding a fifteen-point advantage on second place Cotgrave, and a mammoth twenty-five points over third place Aslockton & Orston, going into Saturday’s (22 February) games, Lindley and FCV will be looking to not only add to their games won tally this season, but also increase their ongoing, clean sheet record, away to Collingham.

Keep up-to-date with all the footballing activity at FCV Grace Dieu via their X/Twitter here

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @FCVGraceDieu Lindley with team-mates celebrating, a regular occurrence for his side this season.