Barring an absolute catastrophe all is well down Sumaville way; the lights tower over the lush green grass, the buds on the mighty Emmbrook Oaks continue to flourish and puzzling banners appear overnight pegged to a fence that intensifies club mysteries to level only Agatha Christie has previously engendered.

Step 5 status has been maintained, entry to next season’s F.A. Cup is assured; the prime objective of this years campaign has been achieved, not without struggle or doubt, indeed not unaccompanied by fear or more turgid moments….but it has happened and now is the time to celebrate, now is the time to appreciate.

No one was under any illusion this season wasn’t going to be tough, Step 5 is a different beast to the levels the club has been used too for many years. It is physical, occasionally more cultured and certainly more ‘cut-throat,’; every opponent had fire power, that edge in the last third that our solid defence has had to come to terms with and largely to their eternal credit has done.

The season started ominously with stalwarts Dan and Matt stepping aside in pre-season for a variety of reasons and Eliott’s appointment came after the competitive season had commenced. From there the goal of survival was even more the focus; the pressure and demand for it increased in its shear relativity. However we have come through, as a club, a team, a committee and a management structure.

And the man at the helm has steered the ship with empathy and understanding primarily of his goal but also of his resource, his principles and his playing staff. Those players talk so highly of the man, his insight, his interpersonal skills, his knowledge of coaching and for that us supporters should take note and be thankful. The playing squad have bought into his philosophy and to a man performed to that structure, that system and the level of application he has expected and that required to achieve survival. There have been bumps in the road but that is the way of the world, the nature of sport and why it is so compelling.

As a manager, note how he uses his substitutes, observe how he rewards progressive attitudes with minutes on the pitch. He is not beyond allowing our most skillful player to dual register with a club further up the pyramid to both fuel and meet that lad’s ambition; again the phase induction of Allied Counties players has allowed them to mature at their pace rather than be defined by club need. This is indicative of an honesty and integrity underpinned by understanding of how football should work but all to often fails too. Eliott Whitehouse you have done a fine job without compromising your beliefs and ultimately achieved your prime objective, for that you have my thanks and admiration.