Respect is due for backing the Blues

Leek Town Chairman Andy Wain has thanked everyone connected with the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Blues for contributing to a "brilliant" campaign.

As well as securing a third placed finish in First Division South and being among the title contenders on the final day, the Blues went on a run to the FA Trophy’s Second Round in December.

Lee Casswell’s side also won numerous individual playing honours with Jordan Johnson and John Johnston named as the division’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year respectively at the 2014 Evo-Stik Players of the Year Awards in April.

And their success over the campaign also came the right way with the club winning two Evo-Stik NPL Fair Play Awards, the first back in October and the second for the sportsmanship they demonstrated through much of the run-in.

Wain, pictured collecting the combined award for February and March from Evo-Stik NPL League Operations Manager Alan Allcock at Harrison Park, said: "First of all I want to say a big thank you to our magnificent fans who have backed us all the way this season both home and away.

"Everyone at the club from gatemen to program sellers, to stewards, tea ladies, the management, the ground staff and my colleagues on the board, have worked tirelessly all year with no financial reward – they did it for the club - a big thank you to everyone.

"As far as the football is concerned it has been a very enjoyable campaign with the one exception being the disappointing FA Cup tie against Walsall Wood. However, we soon made up for that with tremendous wins in the FA Trophy at Witton Albion, Brackley and Altrincham who reached the Conference North play-off final with a 2-1 win over Hednesford in the semi-final on Saturday.

"Looking back it was a brilliant season - our league campaign went well and we were in the top three for much of it but sadly we fell at the final hurdle. What makes the playing side most pleasing is that the squad are all local and what a great set of players they are. There has been no falling out, no chips on shoulders - they all wanted to work hard for the club and each other.

"I really hope we can keep everyone of them here at Harrison Park because I think they will go one step further next season. I will do all I possibly can to give the management what they need in terms of the squad whilst also keeping the club running on an even keel."

He added: “While I’ve said thank you to the supporters it would it would be remiss of me not to mention our sponsors Without these added income streams we would not be able to run the club as well as we do so, a special thank you to Esterchem and the Bray family for their tremendous financial support.

"In addition, we’d also like to thank a local businessman who wishes to remain anonymous, for the substantial funds he has donated to the club. Finally, we would like to thank all our match and match-ball sponsors, programme advertisers and pitch perimeter board sponsors for their support which goes a long way to running the club and putting a successful team on the pitch."