Firstly (if there is anyone reading this!), it's important to say a huge well done to everyone at Gillford Park FC for making promotion this year possible. The fast rise of this club from nothing to being the first club from the city of Carlisle to compete in the Northern League (the WORLDS second oldest football league) is nothing short of amazing and all inside only four years of existence!

What does worry me somewhat is the lack of coverage the local media have given our club regarding this amazing feat.

Also when you study the league we are entering there are a few horror stories this season.
For instance, Prudhoe Town FC have handed their resignation into the Northern League and according to the NL website, this has not been withdrawn yet.
Apparently Prudhoe is a club like ours, ran by a small team of dedicated people who simply cannot meet the costs/commitment of playing in the higher tier.

Also this week it has been announced that Sunderland Nissan are being wound up.
Of course, most of us will have heard of the plight of the fast failing car factory in the North East but surely the football club is not that much of a drain on company resources.

Washington were looking to leave the NL but apparently now have decided to stay, the reasons for which I am not sure but maybe the NL website can cast some light on their plight.

Who would have thought a few years ago, former Northern League club, Peterlee Town (or Peterlee Newtown as they were known) would be relegated from the Northern Alliance Premier Division??

I think it boils down to one thing when it comes to clubs like ours surviving - OUR PEOPLE.

With rising referee costs and gate prices, the running of floodlights to name just a few things means that we literally need everyone on board to pull together and make sure this promotion is a successful one.

So everyone do what you can for Gillford and help us continue our impressive rise. YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!