More Reaction From Norton United
Wed 23rd April 2014 | Norton United | By Ian Templeman
After Norton United's victory over Winsford United on Tuesday evening clinched the Premier Division title, club representatives gave their reflections on the season's events afterwards.
Steve Beaumont, Chairman:
"It's been really nerve racking for the last six weeks, and it's hard to control yourself at times, there is so much pressure. Runcorn Linnets have been fantastic, and Glossop have been fantastic, their run really scared us. They are both really good sides and were strong right to the end.
"We were getting a bit nervous, and we thought we had done it on Saturday (at West Didsbury & Chorlton) although it wasn't to be, but against WInsford we came out and performed how we can perform.
"We have a young side, I think the average age is about 22, and I can honestly say I don't know how we have done it. It was only when we beat Colne at our place (on the 25th March) it could be our year. They played really well and were the better side for the last 20 minutes, but we got a late winner, and that is when I started thinking that this might just be the year we could win it.
"Now we have done it, we have to keep moving forward. My concern was if we didn't win it this season, we would have a lot of Evo-Stik clubs coming to knock on the door as we have a lot of good players at the club. But I think all these lads will stick together now.
"It's been fantastic, we have really enjoyed the trip, and hopefully we will enjoy the Evo-Stik League".
Dennis Vickers, Secretary
"I've been involved with Norton for 42 years, 24 years as secretary to the Saturday side. We've had good days and not so good days in that time, but we have had plenty of good days this season.
"Winning 5-1 at Linnets, and beating Bootle away were great results, and I thought very quickly as we got into the season that we were going to do very well, but did not for a minute think we would win the league.
"I think a few weeks ago when we started to get good results and Linnets started to drop points, we started to think we had a chance, although I still didn't think we would do it. It's been a fantastic effort by the lads. If ever a team deserved to do well it's this team, and I couldn't be more proud of those lads.
"It's hard to believe the progress the club has made but when you have a Chairman like we have, who had the good sense to appoint the manager we have, then it's possible.
"Steve is a major driving force as Chairman, and the contribution he has made, particularly in the last couple of years, can't be undervalued. It's fantastic what he has done and he has driven everyone forward.
"This is a team in the real sense of the word, with people on and off the field all part of that team. It really is a true family club, and everyone in that family enjoys being in it, and when we get success it's not just success for the team, it's success for all of us.
"I shall miss the league and the people in it. What's been really nice is the reaction from other clubs, straight away I had a message from Derek Greenwood at Runcorn Linnets congratulating us. They are a good side, and to beat them is a real bonus for us.
"I've made a lot of friends, although I've probably made a lot of enemies as well! I must particularly mention Alan Farnworth and Geoff Wilkinson (the last two League Ground Grading Chairmen).
"Alan was there at the start of all the ground improvements at Norton, and without the help of people like Alan and now Geoff Wilkinson, we would have struggled. But they knew what we had to do, they knew who we had to talk to, and they made sure that we talked to them.
"So I would really want to give a special mention to Alan Farnworth, he is a friend of mine anyway, and it would have been lovely if he could have been at the game to see us gain promotion.
"I will still get to see some games in the league as there are still teams in our area, but I am looking forward to the challenges we all have got ahead of us in the Evo-Stik League".
Richard Smith, Captain
"If you had said at the start of the season we would win the league, I don't anyone would have believed you. We had a terrible start last season, although we did all right towards the end, maybe showed top eight form, and we were hoping this season that if we started well, we could get in to the top half, top six maybe.
"We had a couple of good wins early on when we beat both Runcorn teams, we put four past Town and five past Linnets, and at that point we started to think that on our day we could compete with anyone in this league.
"Then, in the middle of the season, we weren't playing particularly well but we kept on winning, and although we were games behind other clubs, we were still saying we were aiming for the top ten, but I think among the players we all thought we did have a chance.
"Then after Christmas we went on a good run, we won about 13 or 14 games, and although we haven't played as well in the last four or five games, again we got the wins we needed.
"It was never really do or die for us as we had the games in hand, but it is always nice to get it wrapped up before the last game, as you don't really want to have to go into the last game having to get something out of it, as that puts the pressure on.
"It's been a real team effort. There's a great team spirit at the club, everyone is in for each other and I think that has shown on the pitch, especially the way we have ground out results when we haven't been playing well, because that is the sign of a good team".
More Reaction From Norton United
Wed 23rd April 2014 | Norton United
By Ian Templeman
After Norton United's victory over Winsford United on Tuesday evening clinched the Premier Division title, club representatives gave their reflections on the season's events afterwards.
Steve Beaumont, Chairman:
"It's been really nerve racking for the last six weeks, and it's hard to control yourself at times, there is so much pressure. Runcorn Linnets have been fantastic, and Glossop have been fantastic, their run really scared us. They are both really good sides and were strong right to the end.
"We were getting a bit nervous, and we thought we had done it on Saturday (at West Didsbury & Chorlton) although it wasn't to be, but against WInsford we came out and performed how we can perform.
"We have a young side, I think the average age is about 22, and I can honestly say I don't know how we have done it. It was only when we beat Colne at our place (on the 25th March) it could be our year. They played really well and were the better side for the last 20 minutes, but we got a late winner, and that is when I started thinking that this might just be the year we could win it.
"Now we have done it, we have to keep moving forward. My concern was if we didn't win it this season, we would have a lot of Evo-Stik clubs coming to knock on the door as we have a lot of good players at the club. But I think all these lads will stick together now.
"It's been fantastic, we have really enjoyed the trip, and hopefully we will enjoy the Evo-Stik League".
Dennis Vickers, Secretary
"I've been involved with Norton for 42 years, 24 years as secretary to the Saturday side. We've had good days and not so good days in that time, but we have had plenty of good days this season.
"Winning 5-1 at Linnets, and beating Bootle away were great results, and I thought very quickly as we got into the season that we were going to do very well, but did not for a minute think we would win the league.
"I think a few weeks ago when we started to get good results and Linnets started to drop points, we started to think we had a chance, although I still didn't think we would do it. It's been a fantastic effort by the lads. If ever a team deserved to do well it's this team, and I couldn't be more proud of those lads.
"It's hard to believe the progress the club has made but when you have a Chairman like we have, who had the good sense to appoint the manager we have, then it's possible.
"Steve is a major driving force as Chairman, and the contribution he has made, particularly in the last couple of years, can't be undervalued. It's fantastic what he has done and he has driven everyone forward.
"This is a team in the real sense of the word, with people on and off the field all part of that team. It really is a true family club, and everyone in that family enjoys being in it, and when we get success it's not just success for the team, it's success for all of us.
"I shall miss the league and the people in it. What's been really nice is the reaction from other clubs, straight away I had a message from Derek Greenwood at Runcorn Linnets congratulating us. They are a good side, and to beat them is a real bonus for us.
"I've made a lot of friends, although I've probably made a lot of enemies as well! I must particularly mention Alan Farnworth and Geoff Wilkinson (the last two League Ground Grading Chairmen).
"Alan was there at the start of all the ground improvements at Norton, and without the help of people like Alan and now Geoff Wilkinson, we would have struggled. But they knew what we had to do, they knew who we had to talk to, and they made sure that we talked to them.
"So I would really want to give a special mention to Alan Farnworth, he is a friend of mine anyway, and it would have been lovely if he could have been at the game to see us gain promotion.
"I will still get to see some games in the league as there are still teams in our area, but I am looking forward to the challenges we all have got ahead of us in the Evo-Stik League".
Richard Smith, Captain
"If you had said at the start of the season we would win the league, I don't anyone would have believed you. We had a terrible start last season, although we did all right towards the end, maybe showed top eight form, and we were hoping this season that if we started well, we could get in to the top half, top six maybe.
"We had a couple of good wins early on when we beat both Runcorn teams, we put four past Town and five past Linnets, and at that point we started to think that on our day we could compete with anyone in this league.
"Then, in the middle of the season, we weren't playing particularly well but we kept on winning, and although we were games behind other clubs, we were still saying we were aiming for the top ten, but I think among the players we all thought we did have a chance.
"Then after Christmas we went on a good run, we won about 13 or 14 games, and although we haven't played as well in the last four or five games, again we got the wins we needed.
"It was never really do or die for us as we had the games in hand, but it is always nice to get it wrapped up before the last game, as you don't really want to have to go into the last game having to get something out of it, as that puts the pressure on.
"It's been a real team effort. There's a great team spirit at the club, everyone is in for each other and I think that has shown on the pitch, especially the way we have ground out results when we haven't been playing well, because that is the sign of a good team".
