Irlam And Hanley Town Clinch Promotion
Sat 23rd April 2016 | General | By Ian Templeman
Congratulations to Irlam and Hanley Town, who will be playing Premier Division football next season after their respective victories clinched automatic promotion on Saturday.
Irlam beat Chadderton 2-0 on a blustery afternoon at Silver Street, with second half goals from Matty Boland and Dean Burgess sealing the win.
Irlam Secretary Warren Dodd said: "It's been a fantastic season by the players and the coaches, culminating in a well deserved promotion.
"Manager Steve Nixon has gathered a dedicated group of coaches and assistants around him, all of whom have taken tremendous pride in making the football Club competitive and successful, and Chris Boardman, Michael Dodd, Matty Kay and James Holt have all provided the extra ingredients for success.
"Barnton's 4-1 win against Holker last Thursday night meant we didn't get a free ride to the Premier Division, not that we were looking for that, to be honest.
"Our move into the Premier Division has always been the natural progression for us. Since we joined the League in the 2008/2009 season, we have had our share of ups and downs as a team, but development off the pitch has always followed an upward curve.
"We've watched Clubs enter the competition and go past us and be promoted ahead of us, as we remained the bridesmaid every season. We have also seen Clubs fold and go out of business, a sad part of this level of football. We have observed a lot in our time in Division One.
"Our move to the Premier Division will see us meet up again with Clubs previously in Division One. To revisit the likes of Barnoldswick, AFC Liverpool, Padiham and many others will be a pleasure. It's been too long and we can't wait".
Meanwhile, Hanley Town are also looking forward to Premier Division football next season, after they ensured automatic promotion with a 2-1 win over Ashton Town at the Abzorbed Arena.
After the disappointment of losing in the Reusch First Division Challenge Cup final on penalties last Tuesday night, Hanley bounced back in the best possible fashio, with goals from Nathan Grice and leading scorer Theo Stair in the opening 25 minutes giving them a great start in such a crucial game.
Athough Michael Lacey pulled a goal back for Ashton Town in the second half, the home side held on to clinch victory and banish memories of last season's play-off final defeat at AFC Darwen.
Hanley Town Chairman Paul Legge said: "It's great we have achieved promotion. At times during the season we have made hard work of things, and sometimes I wondered if we were going to do it.
"But things have all worked out right and now we have done it, everything is rose tinted, and we can forget about all the bad moments.
"I must give congratulations to manager Dean Owen and all the lads that have managed to achieve it for us.
"It's been frustrating the last couple of years, finishing fourth in the first season, when in the end three got promoted.
"We probably took our foot off the gas and it ended up costing us. Then last season was frustrating too, losing in the play offs after coming so close.
"So it's great to finally achieve promotion now, and we are all going to enjoy the moment".
Both clubs can now focus their efforts on clinching the Championship title, with the game between the two sides this coming Wednesday likely to prove decisive in deciding the final destination for the trophy.
Irlam And Hanley Town Clinch Promotion
Sat 23rd April 2016 | General
By Ian Templeman
Congratulations to Irlam and Hanley Town, who will be playing Premier Division football next season after their respective victories clinched automatic promotion on Saturday.
Irlam beat Chadderton 2-0 on a blustery afternoon at Silver Street, with second half goals from Matty Boland and Dean Burgess sealing the win.
Irlam Secretary Warren Dodd said: "It's been a fantastic season by the players and the coaches, culminating in a well deserved promotion.
"Manager Steve Nixon has gathered a dedicated group of coaches and assistants around him, all of whom have taken tremendous pride in making the football Club competitive and successful, and Chris Boardman, Michael Dodd, Matty Kay and James Holt have all provided the extra ingredients for success.
"Barnton's 4-1 win against Holker last Thursday night meant we didn't get a free ride to the Premier Division, not that we were looking for that, to be honest.
"Our move into the Premier Division has always been the natural progression for us. Since we joined the League in the 2008/2009 season, we have had our share of ups and downs as a team, but development off the pitch has always followed an upward curve.
"We've watched Clubs enter the competition and go past us and be promoted ahead of us, as we remained the bridesmaid every season. We have also seen Clubs fold and go out of business, a sad part of this level of football. We have observed a lot in our time in Division One.
"Our move to the Premier Division will see us meet up again with Clubs previously in Division One. To revisit the likes of Barnoldswick, AFC Liverpool, Padiham and many others will be a pleasure. It's been too long and we can't wait".
Meanwhile, Hanley Town are also looking forward to Premier Division football next season, after they ensured automatic promotion with a 2-1 win over Ashton Town at the Abzorbed Arena.
After the disappointment of losing in the Reusch First Division Challenge Cup final on penalties last Tuesday night, Hanley bounced back in the best possible fashio, with goals from Nathan Grice and leading scorer Theo Stair in the opening 25 minutes giving them a great start in such a crucial game.
Athough Michael Lacey pulled a goal back for Ashton Town in the second half, the home side held on to clinch victory and banish memories of last season's play-off final defeat at AFC Darwen.
Hanley Town Chairman Paul Legge said: "It's great we have achieved promotion. At times during the season we have made hard work of things, and sometimes I wondered if we were going to do it.
"But things have all worked out right and now we have done it, everything is rose tinted, and we can forget about all the bad moments.
"I must give congratulations to manager Dean Owen and all the lads that have managed to achieve it for us.
"It's been frustrating the last couple of years, finishing fourth in the first season, when in the end three got promoted.
"We probably took our foot off the gas and it ended up costing us. Then last season was frustrating too, losing in the play offs after coming so close.
"So it's great to finally achieve promotion now, and we are all going to enjoy the moment".
Both clubs can now focus their efforts on clinching the Championship title, with the game between the two sides this coming Wednesday likely to prove decisive in deciding the final destination for the trophy.
