COLUMN:Boston United must build upon FA Cup run by getting fans and players to buy into long-term dream

Boston United’s FA Cup run is over. Now the hard work begins.

York Street will not have its dream farewell tie against Premier League Newcastle United.

Instead, the Magpies will head to Spotland after Rochdale won 2-1 in Monday night’s thrilling replay.

But at least the old gal had one fitting finale.

When Boston were handed their fifth successive away draw in the competition, many feared last season’s horrible defeat to Peterborough Sports would be the final FA Cup tie played at the stadium that hosted those classic third-round encounters against Derby County and Portsmouth.

But a goalless draw at Spotland allowed almost 4,000 home fans to get behind Craig Elliott’s battling side.

It was a magnificent evening which had everything but the desired result as Boston matched their League One visitors in every department.

Tragically, two errors proved costly for the Pilgrims against a side who failed to otherwise work keeper Peter Cook.

United somehow lost a boxing match without being punched.

But instead of feeling bitter, the club was invigorated.

The squad and fans, as united as they have been in years, are now talking about realistic promotion pushes.

That won’t be easy in the a difficult National League North, but this side have now proven that they have exactly what it takes to challenge in the second half of the campaign.

However, it is off the pitch the hard work begins in earnest.

Chairman David Newton and his team must now encourage those additional fans who visited on Monday to return, to buy into what the club wants to achieve.

And they must do the same to the players.

This cup run - especially this week’s televised clash - will have brought Elliott’s squad to the attention of a wider audience.

Quite a few clubs will have quite a few quality, out-of-contract-in-the summer, players on their radars now.

Dennis Greene’s exciting squad reached their natural conclusion with a heartbreaking play-off defeat at North Ferriby in 2016.

But the successes of that season were enough to earn Dayle Southwell, Zak Mills and Kaine Felix moves to higher-level, full-time football.

Carl Piergianni joined them eventually and Scott Garner took a sideways step before securing promotion with Halifax.

Bereft of many of their stars, United took time to rebuild.

Last season was a similar story after a number of top performers from Elliott’s first campaign were allowed to let their deals run down.

For me, it is important for United to begin sending out a message they mean business and they’re big enough to make their marquee players want to stay.

And when that’s sorted, perhaps it’s time to think about sending out a hands-off message about the manager.

With a team punching above their weight in the FA Cup and challenging for promotion, his stock has never been higher. Deservedly so.