POWER TO THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
Bolder’s Ferriby back on the rise
CHRIS BOLDER is delighted to have led North Ferriby through the first step of their road to redemption – but admits the pressure of being a phoenix club has brought about its own unique challenges.
The reformed Villagers, created following the demise of former FA Trophy champions North Ferriby United in 2019, achieved their inaugural promotion last weekend with a thrilling 3-2 play-off final victory over Harrogate Railway Athletic.
It means Bolder’s side will battle it out in Step 5 last season, although still a far cry from the heady heights of the National League reached by the fallen former club.
However, Bolder, the former club captain who led the revolution, is happy to take things in his stride.
“There has been an outpouring of relief more than anything,” the 39-year-old told The NLP. “It’s tricky because some people look at how other phoenix clubs have flown through the leagues and just assume you’re going to get a flurry of promotions, but the reality is far more complex.
“Yes, we have a great infrastructure and a phenomenal support base but that doesn’t guarantee you results. Games at this level are unpredictable and there are such fine margins, we’ve had to work so hard to get our recruitment right.”
The current set-up at North Ferriby is something of a roll call of former North Ferriby United greats.
Chairman Les Hare was at the helm when the Villagers tasted FA Trophy victory under the Wembley arch in 2015, while Bolder spent a combined total of seven years marshalling the Ferriby backline during his playing days, becoming a cult hero on the terraces in the process.
Tireless work by local volunteers also ensured the
were able to start their new era in 2019 at their cherished home ground, Grange Lane.
It therefore comes as little surprise that the local community have wholeheartedly bought into a mission to revive the Villagers back to former glories, with crowds throughout the season setting league records.
Excitement
Almost 1,500 spectators cheered North Ferriby on to victory in the play-off final at Grange Lane, a campaign high for the club.
“The atmosphere was absolutely perfect at the weekend, and the game was full of excitement so hopefully a lot of the people will come back next year,” added the Ferriby manager.
“To score the winner in the dying minutes was such an amazing end to the season for the fans and was a reward for the backing they’ve given us and the faith they’ve put into our project.”
Chapter
A phenomenal amount of speedy logistical work saw North Ferriby kick off life in NorthCounclub ern ties Division One in August 2019, just five months after United had been formally liquidated.
Hopes were high that momentum could be quickly generated but the chaos of Covid suspensions that season brought Ferriby’s fairytale return to a sudden halt.
Two campaigns of curtailment meant that before the start of this season the phoenix club had no official records, despite having been founded a whole two years previously.
“It was such unfortunate timing because everyone had put in such a lot of graft to get a team ready over the summer of 2019,” said Bolder.
“We finally had the right people at the club, who had the right intentions and then we were put on hold for the best part of two years.
“This season has been special for so many reasons and it feels like the first proper chapter of our story has now finally been written.
“You can’t help looking further up the pyramid, but we are just going to carefully move forward for now, taking things one step at a time.”