"Back where we belong!" Play-off win was 'satisfying' for Boston United chairman David Newton following demotion

Horsfall victory about writing a wrong
Boston celebrate their promotion.Boston celebrate their promotion.
Boston celebrate their promotion.

Boston United’s play-off victory at Bradford Park Avenue was all about writing a wrong, according to chairman David Newton.

Whilst describing the day as ‘brilliant’, Mr Newton was more concerned about the Pilgrims returning to the Blue Square Conference North.

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At the end of the 2007-08 season, despite finishing 10th in the Blue Square North, Boston were relegated to the UniBond Premier.

David Newton and vice-chairman Neil Kempster.David Newton and vice-chairman Neil Kempster.
David Newton and vice-chairman Neil Kempster.

The club had arranged a payment package to come out of administration, but because that had not been finalised before the league’s AGM, they were demoted.

However, United’s second season in the UniBond Premier saw them secure promotion with a 2-1 play-off final victory at Bradford Park Avenue.

Looking back on that victory 10 years ago, Newton recalled: “It was quite a satisfying day really.

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“It didn’t feel like a big celebration for me as I didn’t believe we should have been relegated in the first place.

“That didn’t feel right to me, and it was all about putting that right.

“It was more a feeling of being back where we should be anyway.”

To date, that victory at Bradford secured Mr Newton’s only promotion as Pilgrims chairman.

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He added: “At full time I remember being sat in the stand on my own. It was brilliant to see the fans on the pitch celebrating and having a good day out, but it felt more methodical for me.

“It was a good day, a brilliant day. But for me it was about the team getting the job done.

“If we were to get promoted to the National League that would be completely different. That would be a big celebration for me.

"But at Bradford it was about getting back where we should have been.”

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