Watlington celebrate fifth successive promotion

Watlington Football Club has secured a fifth successive promotion and is one of the most vibrant local football clubs in the county.The club, based at Church Road in the village, has one eye on reaching senior football after continuing its remarkable rise with a runaway success in Division Three North of the Anglian Combination.With just two league defeats all season, the club stormed to another title with a double-digit points success.Manager Andy Brydon believes the club received its just desserts following the restructuring of the Anglian Combination League last summer.Brydon said: “Going into the season this year, the lads were disheartened after what the Anglian Combination had done and the restructuring they put in place, as it didn’t feel we had achieved anything by winning Division Four.”So this promotion feels very good as we feel we can now move on.”This season makes it five promotions on the bounce and another league title to go with it, which is always a nice way to end the season. “The club aims to reach senior football, and something we will be trying to put right this year will be our progression in the Norfolk Junior Cup, “We want to keep the current squad together and hopefully add a few new additions but, as always, it’s going to be hard as the players get a lot of interest from other clubs in the close season.”We improve by sticking together as a group. By bringing in new faces on and off the pitch will help us with the challenge in the next league.”As a club, we look forward to that more competitive football next season and a consistent run of games, which we are assured will happen. “The aim has to be for us to challenge for a spot in senior football, it would be a huge achievement for everyone connected with the football club.”Brydon added: “As always, grassroots football relies heavily on volunteers and we have a great team working on things in the background, but ultimately it’s the lads who pull the shirt on week-in, and week-out. “It’s a great group of lads with different levels of experience. Keeping them committed brings success, but it’s difficult with stop-start seasons.”We’ve had to wait six or seven weeks for a game this season and that has been frustrating. This year has probably been the toughest for us as a group.” The club – first formed back in 1977 – had double cause for celebration this week as the A side clinched the Division Two League Cup in the North West Norfolk League.After the final against Wanderers ended 1-1 after normal time, Watlington triumphed 6-5 from the spot.The season has also been tinged with sadness following the recent death of club coach Matt Murfitt.Brydon explained: “Before the game against Briston, the club paid their respects to Matt. “Matt played for Watlington at both a youth and adult level before moving into a coaching role within our youth teams, including a newly formed U18s.”He was also integral in setting up our girls’ football programme. Matt’s father and brother led the minute’s silence by laying flowers in the centre circle before kick-off.”All of our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Matt will be missed massively by everyone who knew him.”