KOPA KINGS SALAMIS JUST KEEP CLIMBING
FROM Sunday League to Step 4 in four years – it’s fair to say New Salamis are embarking on a remarkable journey.
The Cypriot-founded club – who groundshare with Haringey Borough – were playing in the KOPA League just two years ago before opting to enter the National League System.
Former winners of the FA Sunday Cup, they were hugely successful in Sunday League and decided to have a shot at Non-League starting out in the Hertfordshire County League.
And it’s is fair to say they have taken to it well and now the north London club have now achieved promotion from the Spartan South Midlands Premier League, booking their ticket with an 8-1 thumping of Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.
Proud manager Richard Georgiou said: “It’s been an amazing journey When I came the club wasn’t in the best position.
“We were always going to play catch up with what I wanted to achieve but this is an incredible group of players, everything I ask of them they just get on and do it.
“I’m so happy for the committee and everyone involved, and they really deserve it.”
With promotion finally achieved, all eyes are now on the title race and their battle with Risborough Rangers.
Before yesterday, the two were level on points and while Risborough have a game in hand, Salamis edge the goal difference. The pair are set to play each other in a crunch showdown on the final day.
Georgiou says his side have released the shackles just in case it comes down to goal difference.
“It’s something we’ve wanted to do and certainly over the season we’ve scored an amazing number of goals,” he added.
“We’ve got two games to win if we are going to win the league and they’re against the hardest teams.
“But there is a real belief this is meant to happen for us. We know what we’ve go to do. Risborough are not going to go away they are a top team, we have been on a 17-game unbeaten streak and for them to keep up with us shows how good they are.
“To be in this position with two games to go where we can win the league just shows the incredible belief and quality we have in this squad.”
Georgiou is relishing the challenge Step 4 will provide for his side but knows it will be a tough nut to crack.
“Things will change next season; we want to keep the bulk of the team,” he concluded.
“We are going to have add in more top players, it is a harder league. Since I have come in, I have always tried to instil the values I know this club wants.
“I believe that on our day we can beat anyone but going up, we’ll have to win in different ways.”