Long Eaton volunteers relishing further growth

The Blues have surged up the non-League pyramid, clinching promotion from the Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One East with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Stockton Town just a year after winning the United Counties League Premier Division North.

It means Peter Holmes, 58, and his fellow helpers will have to prepare for bigger crowds – but it is a prospect the former civil servant is relishing.

“We are really excited about hopefully seeing some much bigger numbers, the people of Long Eaton really getting behind the team and taking on yet another challenge,” said Holmes, the latest recipient of the Pitching In Volunteer of the Month award.

“We will need some additional people to help us with bigger crowds. The last two seasons have shown anything is possible if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“I think if you had asked any of the players or management team at the start of the season, they would have said mid-table, consolidation would have been fantastic.

“To reach the play-offs was remarkable and there was a lot of emotion on the pitch amongst the players, the spectators and officials when we got over the line on Saturday.

“It just showed what it means to everybody. It was a fantastic day.”

Long Eaton have put in plenty of miles this season, with frequent trips to Tyneside and Teesside culminating in play-off matches away at Hebburn and then Stockton.

But the club have taken it all in their stride and are hopeful for some potentially closer match-ups next term.

“The players had a 340-mile round trip to Hebburn on Tuesday night,” Holmes added. “They didn’t get home until half three in the morning after extra time and penalties and some of them had to work that day.

“Then to do it all again on Saturday up to Stockton, it has been a phenomenal effort. What they achieved in that last week captured the whole season.

"Last season we found ourselves in the North East division but we may end up in Southern Central next time around."

The 2022-23 season has been new territory for everyone at the club, none more so than Holmes, who only began volunteering for the Blues at the start of the season.

Fans across the country can find opportunities near them using the Pitching In Volunteer Hub and having originally visited Grange Park during the club’s FA Vase run in 2021, Holmes now has the non-League bug for good.

He added: “We rely on a small but dedicated band. I am a relative newcomer; this is my first year volunteering at the club – what a time to join!

“Last July, I took early retirement from the civil service and was keen to take on a couple of volunteering roles and approached the people of Long Eaton. Luckily, it was a good fit.

“I started in July in earnest and haven’t looked back. I have thoroughly enjoyed it, it is such a rewarding thing to be doing.

“One of the really positive things about volunteering is the number of friends you make. One of the things that strikes you about non-League, whether it’s the officials, the players, the spectators, everyone is really friendly. It’s a fantastic environment to work in.”

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/