Team Trafford thanked for success

Match secretary and programme editor Dave Murray hailed the efforts of everybody connected to the EVO-STIK League North club in his final newsletter of the 2017-18 campaign after Baker's side secured a sixth-placed finish to make the promotion play-offs and narrowly missed out on silverware after reaching the final of the Manchester Premier Cup.

Murray told them: "Trafford played five games in the last 11 days of the season, giving extra pressure to the management and the players in this very hectic period. The result was a very creditable defeat in the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup Final losing, on penalties against Conference side FC United and then Trafford reached the play-offs, losing away 3-0 against Prescot Cables in the semi-final.

"All in all, not a bad finish to the season considering the poor start Trafford had in the first couple of months, then went on a unbeaten run of 21 games with only two defeats in mid-season. Manager Tom Baker and his assistant Danny Caldecott and goalkeeper coach Dave Andrew have done a fabulous job throughout the season with the squad.

"Behind the scenes the club have once again been very lucky to have had a hard working committee and helpers to keep Shawe View in tip top condition resulting in many comments from visiting clubs about the state of the ground.

"The pitch looks like it’s the start of the season instead of the end thanks to our head groundsman Graham Foxall who is one of three groundsman of other clubs in for the EVO-STIK League North Groundsman of the Year, again. We’ve not to forget his assistant Adrien Halliwell who has worked along side Foxy to keep the pitch in this excellent condition."

He added: "Finally, may I say a big thank you to everybody who has contributed to the Trafford FC newsletter, matchday programme and website, especially our new action photographer Adam Dodd who has a link on our website for you to see all his photos. I also hope you have all enjoyed the three publications as much as I enjoy doing them. Have a good close season!"

Images courtesy of @FCTrafford/Twitter

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