We’ll come back stronger, says Boston United boss Craig Elliott

Jay Rollins battles during Saturday's defeat. Photo: Michael Ripley.

Hearts were broken as the Pilgrims were beaten 1-0 by Altrincham in Saturday’s National league North play-off final, the last ever game at York Street.

But Elliott is adamant the experience will only make his squad hungrier for sucess as he begins adding to his squad ahead of another push for promotion.

Recent rivals such as Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Chorley and AFC Fylde had all tasted play-off misery before bouncing back and securing promotion.

Now Boston are planning to follow suit.

“You look at the successful teams of the past years and they’ve used this experience,” Elliott said.

“Look at the Chorleys and other teams. Year after year they get in the play-offs and that’s where we need to be as a club.

“I took over this club when it was second bottom and my aim is to have it consistently at the top of the league and challenging. We want more occasions like this.”

Scott Garner, Luke Shiels, Jordan Thewlis , Peter Crook and Tom Platt are already signed up for next season, while other members of the squad have also pledged their immediate futures to the Pilgrims.

Elliott hopes he can keepo the majority of his team together and, with a little fine tuning, return stronger.

“There’s verbal agreements but, until they’ve signed, there’s nothing definite,” he added.

“But I don’t see a massive turnaround. We’ve had a good season and I don’t want to rip that up.

“The lads have been fantastic on the pitch and off it as well. They’re starting to know how I work a little bit as well.

“We’ll all be better for this experience.”

While rivals have had a month of recruiting alrwady, Boston were un able to due to their play-off campaign.

“I knew we wouldn’t be in a position to sign players early so I was always laid back about recruiting aftr this,” Elliott said.

“It was important we found out how players did and what league we were in.

“Ultimately now it’s about not making knee-jerk ractions and making sure we get the right players in, the right blend to go again.

“Sport and football move on very quickly.”