BLUES ARE NOW BACK ON THE UP
DUNSTABLE Town’s last campaign was a remarkable tale of courage and determination in the face of adversity.
Despite beginning the season with no budget and having to build a side from scratch, Dunstable took their battle to remain in the Southern Premier League to the final day of the campaign.
Whilst relegation was eventually confirmed, Tony McCool’s side experienced a season that will live long in the memory of everyone connected to the club.
“It was the most emotional season that I have ever been a part of,” McCool told The NLP.
“The club had fallen into a perilous financial position and we started pre-season without a football, let alone a place to train or any players.
“At times it felt like it was us against the world but every time we were knocked down, we kept dusting ourselves off and having another go.
“The players that we brought in were not paid anything all season but their commitment to the cause was second to none.
“I was so proud of everyone, especially considering some people thought that the club wouldn’t survive past Christmas!”
Despite suffering a number of heavy early-season beatings, McCool’s side remained locked in a tantalising relegation battle with Gosport Borough, which went right down to the wire.
As the season entered its final week, bottom club Dunstable travelled to Biggleswade Town knowing that a victory was needed to set up a climactic end to the campaign.
“The Biggleswade match is what stands out as the most extraordinary moment of the season,” reflected McCool.
“We had to play our final four league games in the space of a week, which put a huge toll on the squad.
“The players were completely exhausted and had to take time off work to play but there was such a brilliant level of team unity during the week.
“One of the lads, Daniel Trif, was going through a really tough time because his partner was seriously ill and we all wore pink wrist bands during the game to support the family.
“He came off the bench and he went on to score the goal which sealed our victory.
“When he scored he ran over to the dugout and everyone celebrated together, it was the most emotional moment that I have ever had in football and put everything into perspective.
“Although we ultimately didn’t manage to stay up, that moment at Biggleswade will always stick in my mind as a very special memory and it chokes me up just thinking about it.”
Over the summer, McCool set up a crowdfunding page to reward the players, which received almost £3,000 in donations and now with the club’s financial position slowly improving, the Blues are plotting their route back up the pyramid.
An emphatic victory over Kidlington Athletic and a battling point against promotion hopefuls Cambridge City in recent weeks has seen them climb steadily up the Southern League Division One Central table and McCool is excited for the campaign ahead.
He added:“The club have managed to clear their debts and although we still don’t have much of a budget to speak of, financially things are better than last year.
“I have managed to keep the vast majority of the squad together and there is a real positive atmosphere within the club again.
“That being said, we have already been cursed with our fair share of bad luck.
“We got through nine goalkeepers last year, which we thought was pretty extraordinary but here we are in October and we have already been through six this season!
“The goalkeepers have suffered injuries, received suspensions or moved on and we have already had to put two outfield players between the sticks!”
McCool believes there is now a determination at the top to run the club in a sustainable manner in order it’s ensure long-term financial stability.
“Now that the debts have been cleared there is a real opportunity to move forward,” he added.
“Myself and the board are committed to the project and we want to continue to build this club into an entity that can give young players a pathway into the professional game.
“This is a really special club and I would implore any locals to come down and watch a game!”