After a fantastic season winning the 1st Division and the dust starts to settle, we have time to reflect on what has been achieved, writes Bishop Auckland Football Club chairman, Steve Coulthard.
First and foremost, my thanks go to our management team of Chris, Leon and Scott who have brought the team together, bringing the best out of all 19 of the squad.
Unaware it was 38 years since we have won the title, I am sure the whole playing squad and management team will go down in Bishops history with this fantastic achievement.
I would like to express my huge thanks to my fellow directors, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, shareholders and staff for all their support.
This doesn’t happen overnight and we have been planning and hoping for success for a couple of years now with the right man in charge.
We will enjoy our celebrations and presentation evenings but we already started planning months ago for next season in readiness for a possible promotion.
We have had huge success with people coming on board buying shares in BAFC Ltd, and thank everyone for that, but we need more to keep the momentum going.
Following a defeat to Shildon, we had a great run in to the end of the season and enjoyed great celebrations at Newcastle Benfield winning the league, then away at Redcar, receiving the cup then the last game at Tow Law which was followed by a big party night for the players and management.
The hard work starts now for Chris and the board to make sure we do well in the league above where we will need more money with players moving on and new players coming in.
We will shortly be announcing our new gate and season ticket prices which will be in line with the Northern Premier League.
We are hoping to keep our support with the hope of increasing it to the magic 500.
Once again I would like to thank every one of you for your support and hope to see continued support for the forthcoming season. Keep an eye out for our pre-season plans.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
