THE story of Witton Albionβs remarkable season ended with victory in a promotion play-offs final against Spalding United on Saturday.
And, unsurprisingly, the reaction was a strong one on social media.
Hereβs what they said:
Players
It's fitting the first word should be saved for match-winner - and Witton Albion's captain - Anthony Gardner:
What a unbelievable day it's been! Nothing more than we deserve especially scoring the winnerπβ½οΈπ΄βͺοΈ #wearegoingup #UTA
β Anthony Gardner (@antgard91) April 29, 2017
Defender Anthony Brown kept it succinct:
Unbelievable πΊπΊπΊ
β Anthony Brown (@Browny2610) April 29, 2017
Striker Will Jones, who scored nine goals in 16 starts following a switch from Colwyn Bay in February, was a happy man:
Absolutely buzzing, play off final WINNERSπ¬ππΊ@wittonalbionfc
β William Jones (@Will_JONES9) April 29, 2017
Meanwhile Steven Tames, who played a key part in Albion's winner, summedΒ it up nicely:
What a unbelievable day it's been! Nothing more than we deserve π΄βͺοΈ #wearegoingup #UTA
β Steven Tames (@Tamesy9) April 29, 2017
Tom Owens, playing his final game for Witton before a move to Australia, admitted he was struggling to take it in:
Unbelievable to win in the play offs 2-1 with @wittonalbionfc π
β thomasowens (@tom_owens12) April 29, 2017
Goalkeeper Calvin Hare, ruled out by an injury that meant he watched from the side-lines, was still able to celebrate with his teammates:
The fellas are going up!! @wittonalbionfc
β calvin hare (@calhare123) April 29, 2017
Rob Hopley, who scored the winner in Tuesday's semi-finals success against AFC Rushden & Diamonds, is celebrating a third promotion via the play-offs:
No better feeling #promotion #UTA @wittonalbionfc
β Rob Hopley (@robhop9) April 29, 2017
Tolani Omotola, who has scored 13 league goals during a season-long loan stay from Tranmere Rovers, wishes his teammates well:
Boss way to finish the season off with promotion! Been class all year with the boys, wishing @wittonalbionfc all he best in the futureππΎβ½οΈ pic.twitter.com/fuxwdTlh7N
β Tolani (@TolaniOmotola10) April 29, 2017
Meanwhile Witton's manager Carl Macauley received hat-tip from his own gaffer - Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler:
Well done macca.... Congrats @wittonalbionfc https://t.co/UTHi7Ei3Dm
β Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) April 29, 2017
And Macauley's employers, the Fowler Education and Football Academy, followed suit:
Congratulations to our head coach, Carl Macauley, on his @wittonalbionfc team being promoted
β FEFA (@fefaUK) April 29, 2017
πππβ½
A name familiar to Witton Albion's supporters, goalkeeper Andy Firth, sent his congratulations to a club with whom he spent a successful loan spell from Liverpool last season:
Congratulations to everyone involved! Fantastic achievement for the club, good to see them heading in the right direction ππΌ #UTA https://t.co/DGhhm0BQZG
β Andy Firth (@andyfirth1996) April 29, 2017
Josh Hancock, who was on the field when Witton won a promotion play-offs final against Curzon Ashton five years ago this week, hailed his former club:
Congrats on the promotion @wittonalbionfc ππ»@antgard91 on the score sheet too
β Josh Hancock (@joshhancock1) April 29, 2017
Rivals
Spalding United manager Chris Rawlinson was dignified in defeat:
Well done @wittonalbionfc today better side won but also well done @spaldingunited we have had a season we should be proud of π·π·π·
β Chris Rawlinson (@chrisrawlo) April 29, 2017
Meanwhile Spalding themselves sent their own message of congratulations to their conquerors:
Congratulations to @wittonalbionfc, a club/team certainly equipped for the #NPLPremier and deserved winners today... ππ»ππΎπ
β Spalding United FC (@spaldingunited) April 29, 2017
Champions Shaw Lane kept an eye on proceedings at Wincham Park today, and recognised their title-rivals' achievement:
Well done to @FarsleyCelticFC and @wittonalbionfc on your promotion, both deserved to go up after the seasons you have had.
β Shaw Lane AFC (@SLAquaFC) April 29, 2017
AFC Rushden & Diamonds, beaten in the play-offs semi-finals at Witton in midweek, sent their own message too:
Congratulations to @wittonalbionfc thoroughly deserved
β AFC Rushden&Diamonds (@AFCRD) April 29, 2017
There will be a few derbies to look forward to next season, including one with Nantwich Town:
Congratulations also go to local neighbours @wittonalbionfc on their promotion. Looking forward to our trip next season already.
β Nantwich Town FC (@TheDabbers) April 29, 2017
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