End of Season ups and downs (part four)

Well, after all the north and south play-off shenanigans we now know who will be joining us in the Prem next season (assuming we are are still here of course).

Our old friends from Telford have finally made it all the way back up to the summit of the non-league game.  There are many positives about them taking their place in the top flight.  For one, it is a genuine old rivalry renewed.  As much as we try to work ourselves up about playing Histon or Tamworth, it's good to be able to lock horns with a team that we have known and tussled with for decades.

And don't forget, the away trip to Telford puts the travelling Poppy within easy reach of the world famous Ironbridge gorge, or the delightfully preserved town of Shrewsbury.

Telford's ground itself is one of the best in non-league and well worth a visit if you have never been.


Telford is also a completely fan owned and run football club.  In these dark days of rich men treating football clubs like pawns in a larger game of chess, it is good to see a club being successfully run by its fans, and for its fans.  And if they can do it, why not us?  Sure, the naysayers say, they can do it because their fan base is larger than ours.  Well, it is now.  It never used to be.  Just over ten years ago they could barely muster a thousand fans for the Trophy semi final at the Bucks Head.  The fact that they have managed to attract more supporters since is to be applauded and hopefully copied should we ever be in the same situation.

Party time in Ebbsfleet. 

As far as I can see, the only downside is that they may attract another "lunatic fringe" who set about the Shire and smash it up again.  On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure that this is a bad thing either.....

Joining them will be Ebbsfleet and er....they are from Kent.  Or Essex.