After setting the target of getting promoted when he joined in 2019, goalkeeper Tony Aghayere revealed he is “absolutely ecstatic,” at the decision to upwardly move the club into the Northern Premier League.
He continued: “It felt like all our hard work had been undone but to hear that we’ve gone up makes it all worth it and the reward we deserve.
“It’s going to be a test again and to play at this level with 1874 was my aim and it’s a goal achieved for me.
“I’m really happy playing for the club. I get on well with the players, the gaffers and I like the football we play and the way the clubs run.
“I’m so pleased that the restructure is happening. Football is an escape for a lot of us, so this is a real boost for all of us.
Tony has played at step four twice before with Colne and a brief spell at Mossley and he revealed he is relishing the opportunity to do so again.
“I’ve played at the level before, but I feel like this time it will be different. It’s a different set of players with a different style of football and it has been successful.
“I want to help the club push on and win football matches and ultimately look for promotion when the time is right.
“I know it’s early to say that and we’ll be new to the league, but we’ll give it our all-next year and see what we can do.
“There will be players with more ability than we’ve faced in the North West Counties so that will be a challenge.
“I think the biggest thing we need to do is believe in ourselves when we’re under the cosh and not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed in certain situations.
In a message to our supporters, Aghayere thanked them for their dedicated support and pledged to keep “working hard to win games.”
“I’d like to thank all of our supporters for their support over the past few years.
“I know that a lot of places in the league are hard to get to midweek and even on weekends as well so for us players it is massive seeing everyone coming to the games.
“Even last season, whilst some supporters were shielding, we still had so many fans at our games.
“I’d like to thank you all for that and we’ll continue working hard to win games and put smiles on your faces.”
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