Ollerton Town celebrate as NCEL promotion is confirmed

The news comes after a long, but successful season on and off the pitch with Town finishing second in the Central Midlands North Division.

Ollerton ended the season with eight successive wins and ultimately it was this run which took them to the runners-up spot and promotion.

After finishing tenth last year, it’s been a terrific turn around by Ollerton who have put together a strong team with a cracking team spirit.

Ollerton become the 170th team to play in the North East Counties League and it is the first time in the club’s history that they will play at step 6 in the pyramid.

A clup spokesman said: “Everyone at the club is looking forward to testing ourselves at this new level and plans are already well underway to make sure that we compete well next season.

We have been in the Central Midlands League ever since the dawn of the millennium and along the way there have been some notable highs. In 2006-2007, we reach the League Cup final before going on to win the Premier Division a year later.

“We have also reached the final of the Floodlit Cup in recent times before this year finishing in second place in the North Division.

“Ever since our first game in the Central Midlands League the club have progressed so much, finally installing floodlights at The Lane after years of fundraising, and making our first appearance in the FA Vase both spring to mind as examples.

“We’d like to thank the Central Midlands League committee for all their help and support over the years and wish them well for the future.

“Despite how well the players have done this season, success on the pitch needs to be matched with actions off it, and our promotion wouldn’t have been possible without our hard working committee who have given up countless hours to get our ground at a standard acceptable for the North East Counties.

A massive thank you must also go to our amazing fans.

“They have followed us home and away this season in great number and we hope they will continue to do so in the next chapter of this club’s history.

Manager Dave Winter said promotion was the perfect reward for all involved.

He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement. Everyone at the club has pulled together to make a dream a reality. The players, committee and supporters should be very proud of themselves. We are under no illusions about how difficult it will be but as always we will work hard and stick together.”

General manager Adge Owen said he was “over the moon” with the news and he was eager to thank everyone at the club from “the committee and supporters, to the club sponsors, tea lady, wives and girlfriends”.

With the start of pre-season only two weeks away, everyone at the club will reflect on a wonderful season for a little while, before focus turns solely on what promises to be a very exciting season next time out.