Clambering into the Second Division, the board opted for foreign talent to lead the team, and Russian bear Arkadiy Bakunin was invited to whip Grilled to safety. The side were under no illusions that Division Two was a different kettle of fish altogether, and they had walkover side rothgar to thank for survival.

Bakunin didn't settle in very well, and the fans were not delighted by his choice of tender Ulf Hjortlind as Grilled's main striker, even if the unwelcome Reed departed. They were to change their minds, but Hjortlind had to wait to make his mark as Grilled were found sorely lacking in depth.

The team ran II.3 winners Ultimate NutsZ close in the seventh round of the Cup, but were knocked out by an 80th minute Martin R. Eriksson goal that made it 2-3. While Grilled vented the defeat on Shadow Chaser FC in their best performance of the season, they struggled mightily after that, winning only one of their next five league fixtures.

It came down to the final match where Chinablack needed a massive win to escape relegation, but in the duke-out Grilled were the ones who showed more fire. Hjortlind had Grilled's last two goals as they earned a qualification match at home to Oei Republic. That ended convincingly 4-0, and Grilled could dream of a brighter future ahead.

On the academy front, Grilled discovered perhaps their best potential to date, as Au-Yong Siu-Yue signed up after watching Bluedragon best Grilled 2-1. He would break into the first team in weeks.