Horsham FC — Genuine Playoff Contenders, or a Flash in the Pan?

By Matthew Rogers
Opinion · National League South

Horsham FC have had an incredibly respectable start to the season. Undefeated in their opening four fixtures, including a draw away against many people’s favourites for the title, Torquay United. The Hornets have conceded just 2 goals across these opening 4 games, showing a resolution in defence which is almost unmatched across the rest of the league. At the time of writing, they are sitting in second position in the National League South, comfortably within the playoff places. However, I think it would be fair to say that, aside from Torquay, it’s been a kind run of fixtures to start their campaign with. Braintree currently occupy 20th place, Hampton & Richmond 21st, and Salisbury are not far ahead in 15th. Three teams who have all struggled to start the season. So, the question is: are Horsham genuine playoff contenders, or is this just a flash in the pan based on kind opening fixtures? Let’s discuss.

Firstly, it’s important to note that there is no such thing as an easy game in the National League South. In my opinion, it is one of the most competitive leagues out there, and so Horsham getting a result against any team is something deserving of praise. Sure, some of their opponents may be out of form, but nothing is a given. The Hornets have to play a decent level of football to earn their results, their points are not just handed out to them freely. Up next for the Hornets is Farnham Town, who are down in 19th after a mixed start to the season, another favourable fixture on paper, so when will the first real challenge present itself for Horsham?

Well, they don’t have too long to wait for what will be the real eye opener, as they play current league leaders Dagenham & Redbridge at home on the 5th of September. That is most certainly a date for the diaries and should be a great watch. Even a draw in this match would really cement Horsham in my mind as genuine contenders for the playoffs (if not the title outright!). I certainly didn’t have Horsham to finish that high. I expected them to be in and about the upper mid-table, following a pattern across their last several seasons of gradual growth, but they are far exceeding that.

A mention has to be made of Horsham’s manager, Dominic Di Paola, who has been with the team for over 11 years. That sort of loyalty and longevity is not often seen at this level, or indeed any level of the game. He took over with the club facing relegation down to Step 5, and took them back to Step 4 at the first time of asking. And now here they are, after a comfortable first campaign after promotion, all the way up at Step 2 last season, they now find themselves hoping, daring to dream, of having a crack at promotion to the highest tier of non-league football. Dominic has overseen a revolution at the club, turning them into a real genuine power in the Sussex football scene. Whatever happens this season, there is no denying the legacy he has already created for himself at the club. If he can take them all the way to Step 1, it will perhaps become one of the greatest stories of one man steering a club up the leagues that Sussex non-league football has seen.

There’s a lot of football to be played before we have any real answers, but I’ll be watching Horsham closely across the season. It won’t always be easy, the first loss will (surely) come at some point, and then we will see how Horsham respond, how they bounce back from the lows, and that I think will determine their season. So, to answer the question, are Horsham genuine contenders? I want to say ask me again after the Dagenham game, but as it stands right now, yes. I think they have enough about them to be up there, battling it out week after week for their chance to have a shot at promotion. Let me know your thoughts — are Horsham the team to watch, or are they overperforming thanks to a kind opening few fixtures? I’d love to hear your thoughts and get the conversation going, as this is a club that deserves to be talked about.

First published in Dugout News, Issue 3, 23 August 2026. Republished here in full.