Boss reflects on perfect scenario to clinch title
ANDY Peaks has urged Lambs fans to pack out the stadium for another promotion party this weekend, insisting: These opportunities don’t come around often.
Tamworth clinched promotion last weekend and host South Shields in their final home game on Saturday with the trophy on show and players available to meet and take pictures with.
Peaks, who has guided his team to remarkable back to back promotions, told the Herald on the eve of the game: “I really want to get as many there as we can again Saturday because it is another party atmosphere.
“We are going to be doing our best to get three more points but these occasions don’t come along very often so I’d urge all supporters to come. The cup’s going to be there, there will be opportunities for photos with players. Let’s get everyone through the doors and get the Lamb rocking again.”
Peaks hugged his coaching staff before fist pumping the crowd and joining his family in the stands for a poignant moment at full time against Warrington.
Asked what it meant to him to secure promotion again, he said: “I feel really proud. It is just relief. Obviously we had an idea of the result at Chorley. I didn’t want us to get over the line not playing well and relying on everyone else, we got the point and the Chorley result didn’t matter.
“It is just the buzz of doing it. The first thing for me was to have a hug with my staff and I went straight to the main stand and hugged my parents and wife because they have been part of the journey. They feel the pain when it doesn’t go well. Everyone knows how much it meant.
“It was the perfect scenario. Don’t get me wrong Redditch last year was unbelievable. We had so many fans there. But this was just as good. Lots of players and staff had got families and friends there in anticipation that it could happen and there would be a presentation.
“It is very different to last year because it was against all odds and we chased Coalville down right to the last day. That was a very surreal moment. Whereas this one, although it was a relief to get over the line, has been on the cards for the last few weeks and I was confident we were going to get the point. It wasn’t quite the same this year; we have done it with two games to spare and at a higher level. Both are unique and very different.
“The secret is we built on what we did last year. We kept the momentum, kept the organisation, kept the spirit and just took each game as it comes. We give respect to every team which I always do but have not been overawed by anyone either. That is from the first game against Scunthorpe. I think that made us realise that that was going to be a yardstick and hang on we have got a good group here and a group that want to work hard. We have just kept going as the season has gone on. We had the odd little blip and setback and moved on.
“You don’t do what we have done without having a good group and everyone playing their part. It is not just the 11 that have played or the 15 or 16, it’s the ones that have been training every week, who have not played as many minutes as they wanted to for various reasons whether it be injury, illness or just can’t get in. They have all played their part. They have all done something within the campaign that’s got us to where we are.”
He now looks to next season and revealed he wants to keep the nucleus of his squad intact to go again: “Every step up is a challenge but to go from National League North to National League where pretty much everyone is full time is a big a step as you can get. I think the only bigger is Championship to Premier League.
“This is a massive step and we have to be aware. I don’t know what the situation is. I haven’t had meetings with Bob (Andrews, the chairman). I am going to enjoy the next couple of weeks and look and worry about that as and when.
“I am never one to make massive changes when things are going well. There is not many that I won’t be trying to get on the journey again. Some might think there’s better opportunities elsewhere or their time’s up, I don’t know.
“What I would like to think is we will certainly have a good core of this year and last year again.”