CHATS THE WAY TO
FOUR years after experiencing a first relegation in their history, Weston-super-Mare are back at Step 2 – and player/assistant boss Scott Laird couldn’t be prouder of his men.
The Seagulls clinched the Southern Premier South title in front of their own jubilant fans at Woodspring Stadium this week with a crushing 4-1 win over Hendon.
Victory ensured the leaders could not be caught after closest rivals Truro City and Bracknell Town locked horns on Monday night with the former coming out on top.
“There have certainly been a few sore heads this week – the atmosphere around the place was absolutely amazing,” said Laird, who has assisted manager Scott Bartlett since 2019.
“We had almost 1,500 fans in the stands cheering us on against Hendon and it was the kind of evening that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
“I was part of a few promochaos. tion campaigns as a player and it’s always the sweetest when you can do it at home, so before the game I let the players know just what a massive opportunity it was to create a night to remember.”
Laird took over at Weston alongside Bartlett following the club’s relegation from National League South.
And the duo have succesfully restored the Seagulls’ Step 2 status at the second time of asking after their initial spell in charge was mired in Covid However, they are in no mood to settle just yet.
“We are delighted with the squad that we’ve put together here, I think on Tuesday against Hendon we really showcased once and for all what we are all about,” added Laird.
“The aim is to use this season as a springboard and kick on, while still playing an attractive and exciting brand of football.
“Hopefully this is just the first step on the journey!”
STEVE SMITH says Bishop’s Stortford’s triumph has been years of hard work – but the Blues owner-boss doesn’t want them to stand still now.
Smith’s side celebrated the Isthmian Premier title in their clubhouse on Tuesday night after Canvey Island’s 2-2 draw with Aveley confirmed their hold on top spot.
It sees their return to Step 2 after six years away – including the two curtailed Covid seasons – after they also missed out in the play-offs last season having finished as runners-up to Worthing.
And Smith hailed all the effort the club have put in to deliver their crowning glory.
“It’s been three years of hard graft and after the disappointment of last year, to win it is pretty special,” Smith told The NLP. “The lads deserve it. They’ve been brilliant. We’ve got a great set.
Exciting times
“But I am also pleased for everyone at the club. You know what NonLeague is like with all the volunteers at a football club, like most, we’ve got people down there who live and breathe it so it’s great for everyone involved. It’s a very proud moment for all of us.
“We took over in 2017 and the club wasn’t in great shape – financially off the pitch and we weren’t in good shape on it. We went through a few managers and it didn’t work out really.
“I thought, ‘I’m going to get our mates in and have a go at doing it ourselves’. It’s been hard work but we’ve turned the club around.
“We’re financially secure off the pitch, the club is in great shape and I really believe this is only the start.
“We’ve got a lot of exciting stuff happening next year, sponsors coming on board and, listen, we’re going to try and push on. We don’t want to standstill.
“This is the beginning and we want to push on next year and try to get up as well. It’s exciting times.”
Smith joked they almost got the champagne out of the fridge too early on Tuesday night as Canvey grabbed two stoppage-time goals and even hit the bar with the final kick of the game, which would have sent the season to the final day.
Togetherness
But now they can relax before plotting how they tackle next season. “I’ve watched a few National League South games this year and I was obviously there with Chelmsford a few years ago,” Smith said. “We’ve got a team who could compete mid-table, top half. We might have to strengthen one or two areas to give us that push, but the boys I’ve got have worked every so hard.
“They are a great bunch and they will certainly be given the opportunity. The deserve that, they’ve earned the right to do that. So it won’t be wholesale changes.
“Hopefully the lads here will want to stay. That’s been one of the big factors for me. We haven’t got the biggest budget – a competitive budget is what we have – but our togetherness and spirit has been phenomenal. In all the years I’ve been around football clubs, it’s the best I’ve known. “It’s definitely helped us. I couldn’t be happier.”
KEVIN HAKE says Chatham’s back-to-back promotions are beyond their wildest dreams – especially after their opening day reality check!
The Chats got up from the runners-up spot in the Southern Counties East League last season.
The momentum has catapulted the Kent outfit to this year’s Isthmian Division One South East title with a game to spare.
And chairman-manager Hake – who played for the Chats and whose late father Tom managed the club in the 90s – hailed his side for stepping up