“That’s one for you dad!” Kavanagh reflects on finally getting hands on GNSL title, family and what’s next
It’s the 2003/04 season and a 16 year old Luke Kavanagh was starting his first senior game in football as Shortwood United Reserves beat Longlevens 2-1, Longlevens would go on to beat Shortwood to the title but it started Kavanagh’s quest for the GNSL title.
In his career Kavanagh has been part of the Longlevens side who climbed the ladder into the Hellenic Premier, a division they have now completed eleven seasons in, but over twenty years after his senior debut he has finally won the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League with Longlevens Reserves.
Kavanagh was part of the Longlevens Reserves side who were part of the exciting three way title decider between Chalford and Tredworth Tigers in 2023/24, but after missing out by two points, the defender reflects on finally getting over the line.
“Last summer I made a U-turn on hanging up my boots,” admitted Kavanagh. “Mainly because I wanted to play for Spider [Craig Martin] after he had taken on the second team job. But for me, the past 3-4 years has always been about winning the GNSL.
I’ve said this to a few people at the club, but I remember being a 16 year old, starting my 1st game of senior football, ironically against Longlevens at Longford Lane for Shortwood United Reserves. We won 2-1 that day, but eventually got pipped on the last day by Longlevens for the league.
On that morning my dad sat me down and said “if i ever won the Northern Senior League, I’ll be p***ed for a week”. So I knew how much it meant to him.
Then we came so close two years ago, losing to worthy winners Chalford on the final game – if I was being over critical about us in that season, is that we thought we’d won it before we actually had. We beat Tredworth at home and a lot of the lads thought that was job done.
This season, particularly since the turn of the year, for me it’s all been about getting the league over the line, not allowing lads to think that it’s ours,” added Kavanagh.
Kavanagh played a key role in Longlevens Reserves’ title winning season, including a typically solid defensive display in their play-off win over Wessex Wanderers this week and after following up the title win with promotion, Kavanagh admitted that as one of the older players in the squad, he put pressure on himself to set the example of staying focused until the very end.
“Honestly, I’d say the overriding emotion was probably relief,” said Kavanagh. “It’s been a long old season, where we’ve been playing games twice a week for almost a month, so to walk away from it all with more uncertainty over promotion, would have been gut wrenching to say the least.
I’d say since the win at Whaddon, where we knew that our fate was in our own hands, every game we’ve played has had something on it.
That takes its toll both physically and mentally and when we’d confirmed the league title at English Bicknor, rather than all that pressure lifting, it was almost the opposite, so you don’t feel like you can truly enjoy it – at least that’s how I felt anyway.
Being an older head I put pressure on myself to make sure we stayed focused, fortunately we did and we can now say, Yes, we’ve won the league and are going up regardless, that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day and nobody can take that away from us,” Kavanagh added.
Kavanagh was a mainstay in a backline that saw him play alongside experienced centre back partners like Mike Thornton and Luke Troke, as well as U18s Captain Toby Boakes and they only suffered two defeats in 90 minutes in all competitions throughout a great campaign and Kavanagh admits they rode their luck at times, but as a defensive unit alongside young keeper Jack Sargeant, they showed that sticking together resulted in success.
“I’d often say to the lads around me things like “it starts with us,” “head and kick for the next 10 minutes” and “a clean sheet from now, we win the game!” I believed this would give us the platform to go on and win games.
Wednesday was a perfect example of our season really, we had to hang on in there before we could start to put our stamp on the game and it’s not all about the defenders – Jack Sargent more than played his part, as it could’ve been 3/4 without his saves, but at the end of the day it’s the same message you have to stick to – if you can keep the ball out of your net, you’ve always got a chance.
We finished Wednesday with Brad and Barnett our two top goal scoring threats, in the back line, if that doesn’t tell you it’s been a team effort, then I’m not sure what does,” said Kavanagh.
Since the turn of the year, Kavanagh has quietly spoken about calling time on his playing career to various degrees if Longlevens Reserves made it through to the County League, including potentially keeping an interest in football with coaching his daughter’s side and playing veterans football.
But as always, football has a way to keep dragging you back in and Kavanagh admits that he is still unsure what will happen next, but he knows that he has the support from his wife, daughters and dad – who were there to celebrate lift the GNSL title with earlier this month.
“I’d always say “the most important game, is the next one” as a way to keep us grounded and on track. But I kept saying to myself “if we win it, that’s it for me,” I’ve won everything that I set out to do – the pinnacle of it all being the main picture of this article with me and my dad holding the trophy together. That one’s for you dad!
Now we have won it though, I have to admit I’m on the fence. I have a job which means I’m not available every week and I’ve been so lucky that my wife Kirstie has supported me every step of the way and I want to make time for her and our two girls.
I will ultimately have to alter things, but in truth, I’ll never fully walk away, if there is a place where I can still support the side and club in any way then I’ll do that.
My body still allows me to play, so I have that in mind that you’re a long time not playing. I’ve enjoyed supporting these young lads coming through, so if I can continue to do that, then I’ll be happy – so let’s call it semi-retirement for now hey…” said Kavanagh.
Since joining Longlevens, Kavanagh has been part of a number of squads that has achieved success, as well as even managing the Reserves side for a short period.
His role has changed over time and as one of the senior figures in the squad, Kavanagh admits he has enjoyed being able to pass on his experience to the next generation of Longlevens players.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of some great squads in my time to date – the squad James French built that won the County League and Hellenic One back-to-back has to be the best,” said Kavanagh.
“I have to mention the County League winning side Hardwicke side that Warren Evans built was also a great squad, but this squad has all the similar characteristics, mainly because they’re all mates, they enjoy being in one another’s company.
They’ve even started their own WAG club which is great to see! I’m proud to be a part of it for sure, but I see myself more as an older sibling, if that makes sense.
I enjoy watching them enjoy it and am so proud to still be able to contribute towards it at the same time, I’m grateful that the management team have allowed me to have a say in things with regard to helping on the pitch and I’m very proud to see these young lads flourish around me during the process,” Kavanagh added.
Cover photo courtesy of Longlevens AFC
