MORPETH ‘ARE NOT READY TO STEP UP’

JOINT-MANAGER Nick Gray admits Morpeth Town are not ready to make the leap up into Step 4 – despite being 15 points clear of the Ebac Northern League!

The Highwaymen, who won the FA Vase in 2015-16 beating now-Step 3 highflyers Hereford in the final, are all set to take their place in the newlook Evo-Stik League East Division next season as part of the FA’s new restructure.

They hold a big lead over second-placed Marske United, although the Seasiders still hold nine games in hand over Gray’s side.

Gray accepts that promotion has to be taken, but questions whether his club are ready to make the jump.

“We know we have to take promotion, but as a club we aren’t ready to do so,” he said.

“I think it is the r ight thing to do for this football club, but I don’t think it is being done at the right time.

“Everyone in football wants to progress but this is the first time in over 100 years this club has been in this position.

“We still have to do work in the clubhouse and work on the pitch here.

“You are going to have to ask volunteers to do more travelling, to put in four times as much work and to spend more time away from their families.

“Squad-wise I need to have two sets of players lined up for next season, one for the Northern League and one of players that can travel.

“That means a long summer of hard work and nobody really gets a break.”