Gee hails his heroes

Kevin Gee lauded his players for their defiant reaction to news that the Wrens were withdrawing from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League at the end of the season, writes Gordon Foster.

Twenty-four hours after Friday's announcement, the Wrens responded with a single goal home victory over Leek Town to preserve their 100 per cent home record against the Staffordshire Moorlands club since winning promotion into the Evo-Stik NPL three seasons ago.

More importantly, the three points gained ensured they’ll end the season with their highest points tally and league placing since stepping up from the Northern Counties East League, and with four games still to go too.

The Wrens say they've been inundated by messages from well-wishers from across Non-League applauding their decision and in many cases expressing the opinion that other clubs should follow Rainworth's lead rather than try to live beyond their means.

Gee, as buoyant as ever after the win, said: "It's been a tough week for the players this week with the Notts Senior Cup semi-final loss to Sutton and of course the negativity surrounding that. But as ever the response from my players was magnificent as it has been all season.

"The group of players I've had for the past 18 months at the club, in firstly turning what was looking like a disastrous season when I first arrived isolated at the bottom of the league, into a success by finishing well clear of trouble by March was a fantastic effort.

"This year, in my first full season, it was about increasing and attracting our profile. The start we had and being on the fringes of the play-offs by Christmas, certainly did that. Today was a typical Rainworth performance in that we've won the game with two banks of four, because we've not had the quality strikers of the leading clubs all season as we just can't afford them.

"An attendance of just 56 only reinforces that but I think the players deserve a huge amount of credit for ensuring comfortable membership safety two years running. We have taken points of all the play-off teams this year, so have proved that in a one-off game we are more than capable of competing at the right end of the table.

He added: "With four games to go, three of which are at home where we have been strong this season, we will try and finish as high in the league as we can and then reflect on everything in the summer."

On Saturday the Wrens make their last away trip of the season to play-off hopefuls Stamford. Next Tuesday they entertain Northwich Victoria before playing host to leaders Coalville Town and then Gresley FC on the final two Saturdays of the campaign.