On the pitch, the first team has achieved what many of us could only dream of at the start of the season – to be looking at promotion following our first season at Tier 3. Johno, his coaching and support staff, and the players deserve all the praise for getting this far. It is an incredible achievement, and shows how fortunate we are to have this team in place.

As a fan-owned club, the supporters are at the core of everything we do, and everything we stand for. The support over the last few months has been incredible, and the “Slate Bonc” has literally been the 12th man, lifting the team to many late victories. When we played Flint Mountain away, after 80 minutes, I went to buy a cup of tea, miserable that we losing 2-1, and seeing our promotion chances ebbing away. Two late goals, spurred on by the noisy support, was the catalyst for a great run of results that has seen us reach the top of the league.

Our excitement at potentially playing Tier 2 football next season has been tempered by the on-going dispute over the running of the Nantporth Stadium. Ultimately, we need to await the outcome of the dispute between the City Council and Nantporth CIC. All we ask is that we can play at Nantporth next season. We are not looking to take over the stadium, merely to be tenants, and work to make Nantporth the rightful home of senior football in the city. My vision is for the stadium to be home for both the men’s and ladies’ senior teams, the home of the “1876 family”.

At the fans’ meeting earlier this week, there was near unanimous support for the club to consider all opportunities to play at Tier 2, should we be promoted. The views expressed by our main sponsors, WPV, as to why they feel unable to continue to support us if we move into Nantporth with the current regime in charge, have been widely supported by our supporters. However, as things stand, we will be unable to progress to Tier 2 without our major backer, and therefore have to await the outcome of the City Council’s efforts to reclaim the stadium. It is frustrating that events are taking so long to be worked through, and taking the gloss off what has been a remarkable achievement on the pitch.

Regular updates will be provided, as and when information becomes available. As a Board, we will continue to speak to all parties involved, but ultimately, we need to await the outcome of the current dispute. Let’s hope that the issues can be resolved soon, and that we can move to Nantporth, hopefully as a Tier 2 club.