Are you gonna believe us?, the Heys are going up!, is a song going round my head after yesterday's announcement that after a restructure of the football pyramid from steps three to six the mighty Prestwich Heys will be playing in the North West Counties Premier League next season, for the first time in the clubs 83 year history
Three places were up for grabs based on results and points over the last two seasons and after AFC Liverpool and Lower Breck, that all-important third place belonged to us which is a tribute to the efforts of the players, manager Matt Barnes and his team and also not forgetting previous manager John Lyons.
Heys almost got promoted to the Premier League in the 2017-18 season finishing third on a massive 91 points which in the previous 14 seasons would have been enough to secure automatic promotion. Unfortunately, we were beaten into third position as Silsden and Litherland REMYCA both had amazing seasons and we had to settle for the play offs.
After securing the LWC Drinks Cup on the Wednesday with a last-minute goal from John Main in a 2-1 victory against Camell Laird, it was ironic the following Saturday we faced the same opposition again in the play-off semi-finals however after it being 1-1 for a long period of the game the visitors ran out 4-1 winners ....so near so far.
A top six finish the following season 2018-19 was, believe it or not the last complete season Heys played as the 2019-20 season was curtailed due to COVID on 14 March 20 with a 5-3 win at Cleator Moor Celtic with the team in seventh place and as we know the 20/21 season barely got going with after just six games played and us sat in fourth place again with the season scrapped.
Indeed, its true to say Heys had been banging on the door a while and now with this restructure we are presented with new challenges and make no mistake this is not going to be easy but it's a journey we are about to commence that will excite the fans no end.
Above is how the Premier League will now look next season and you can instantly see the mileage for travel to away games in this league will be a lot less than we are used to but will provide ultimately stiffer tests.
Avro will be our new local derby game along with Wythenshawe Town, five teams from the Merseyside area and what to me looks the most interesting will be playing Macclesfield FC who have reformed since Macclesfield Town sadly demised not long back and they will still play, I believe at Moss Rose. Other matches that catch the eye are Northwich Victoria and Barnoldswick Town, formally managed by Matt Barnes.
So plenty new grounds to see and add to the list for the fans and me personally as 10 of these 20 I have never previously visited. I'm sure though we will all miss a few old favourite haunts next season, the long haul trips to Cleator Moor (will miss the perfect draught Guinness!) and Holker Old Boys were always a favourite, Daisy Hill was always a blast and our near rivals Chadderton who we have had some great battles with over the last few years.
No room for sentiment in football though, as on we crack with the 2021-22 season which starts 31 July. Will we be ready?, do we need to make improvements to Aidie Moran Park to be ready for the opening day?.
Questions on the fan's lips over the last couple of weeks but being in regular contact with Matt Barnes anyone with any doubts need not worry. As mentioned above and for the uninitiated Matt has experience of managing at this level, knows the ropes and has the contacts to push us forward. We have already had a couple of trialists play in recent warm up matches that have played at a higher level and we are looking to sign and work is in place to improve our already impressive squad to be ready so lots to look forward to here.
Part of the protocol for promotion is that ground improvements need to be made but no panic on this as we have until next March to complete the improvements which will include extra seating, more covered standing and outside toilet facilities amongst others.
Pre-season is due to start the third week of June and from what I'm hearing we should be in for some decent fixtures to get the players ready for the opening day.....watch this space for the opposition.
Under 18's team
In other news I wanted to give the under 18's a mention, manager Nick Simister's side are doing a great job currently in a nine-team cup tournament in which teams play each other once and the top two will play each other in the final with our boys currently top of the table after seven games unbeaten winning 6 and drawing one and a recent highlight beating AFC Darwen who had been unbeaten for two years!.
It's great to see young talent like Bailey Dawes and Ollie Scott coming through, the latter has already broken into the first team. Nicks team play a very attacking style scoring a sack full of goals and thoroughly entertained the few hardy souls stood on the hill behind the goal in recent weeks with all games being behind closed doors because of COVID.
Departure.
I couldn't write this update without a special mention to captain Jacob Holt who recently departed the club . Jacob played 104 games for Heys scoring 7 goals after joining from Irlam in 2018.
A versatile defender who played across the back four was a fans favourite for his determined displays and personally my favourite moment was him smashing in a 25-yard last minute winner to give us a 3-2 victory at Garstang back in October 2019. Everyone at Prestwich Heys wishes Jacob all the very best for the future and thanks for the memories.
Well, that's it for now so not long before we get into pre-season and it will be fantastic to all be back together again in the clubhouse and on the touchline.
Speaking to a few of you I know how much you have missed being 'down the Heys' the last 14 months and it's been a massive gap in people's lives not least myself. I have always said we have something magical at Adie Moran Park but from next season it is vital that we get behind the team even more be it sun, wind rain or snow Saturday, Tuesday or Wednesday night home or away. So please go forth into the streets and spread the word to your mates, your family or anyone who cares listen to you, Prestwich has a Premier League football team, it's a fiver in kids under 16 free with an adult and you can have a beer on the touchline...oh and no VAR or any of that nonsense!, relax with a beer embrace promotion and enjoy the summer.
UP THE HEYS!
Love
Rick