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We're away at 13th place Woking for our next game, and now is as good a time as any to try and poach their best player, young forward Chris Sharpling, who they have stupidly left with a £40k non promotion release clause. He's one for the future, at 21, but according to Barry Smith a player with great potential. I'm inclined to agree. It's one of those strange, inexplicable things that happens in football management (or at least in CM). Woking completely fail to acknowledge our bid for the entire week. I intend to take their Chief Executive to one side when we get to the Kingfield Sports Ground.

There's another tweak to the midfield formation, with McEwen moving to the middle and Mackenzie to the right, whilst Cameron returns. We must start scoring.

We do at least start by scoring. Collins puts a tap-in away. But 1-0 at half time always looks dodgy. My mood is really topped off by Sharpling escaping from no less than two markers to equalise on the hour. Again, we can't come back from that and it's now four draws in a row.

Conference Game 33. 8th March 2003.
Woking 1 Stalybridge 1 Sharpling 62 / Collins 19

Dover lost again, keeping us in the hunt. Maybe being unbeaten might pay off?

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Conference - Saturday 8th March 2003********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2002/3 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Dover 33 12 1 4 35 19 8 4 4 20 15 65 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd STALYBRIDGE 33 10 5 1 38 13 8 5 4 30 21 64 3rd Barnet 33 9 3 5 32 24 9 5 2 28 19 62 4th Southport 33 10 2 4 29 18 8 3 6 25 23 59 5th Nuneaton Borough 33 10 1 5 32 25 8 3 6 20 27 58 </pre>

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A familiar story. If we were going to stay in the hunt, we simply had to win the next game. 3rd placed Barnet, Sam Swonnell et al, come to the Bower Fold and defeat is unthinkable and would see us drop to 3rd place. Once again, though, a big game has come at a bad time, just three days after our last match. Heaton, Cameron and Fortune-West are well under par, so some changes are necessary. Lewis for Heaton is fairly straight forward, as is Harris for Cameron, but the rest is more complicated. Mackenzie and McEwen retain their places, but Neil is in the middle and Dave up front. Peacock comes in on the right and I load the bench with attack minded players.

The big day dawns wet and cool, so there is a fair chance that tackles will fly in left right and centre. 2666 fans show up, a good attendance, but not the best. Barnet open with a lovely move, and ex Barnsley player Sinisa Saric gets on the end of a ball in the first minutes. 1-0, and not the best of starts! Of course, it's Saric's first goal for the club and he comes close to a second minutes later. It's a third S.S., Stevie Searle, who seals the second, as we look very much under the weather. Mike Lewis has had a stinker of a first half, and reports a shin injury at half time. Challinor and Mackenzie have underperformed as well, but seem to have no excuses. Munro replaces Lewis and I tell the lads to get out there and attack.

Nothing much doing in the second half for the first 15 minutes, and as Barnet sit back into a defesive formation, they still have the majority of the play. For the first time since our dodgy form at the beginning of the season I am forced into considering a change of formation. Moving to a 442 does bring some benefits, with Collins setting up Rich Peacock for only his second goal of the season. It's not enough though as time ebbs away.

Conference Game 34. 11th March 2003.
Stalybridge 1 Barnet 2 Peacock 82 / Saric 2 Searle 19

I feel cheated. Swonnell, by far Barnets best player, was the man we had all singled out as trouble, yet I had been double bluffed by my opposite number John Still. Swonnell had been played as a decoy, allowing Saric and Searle to storm forward from midfield and run the game. It was so obvious! Dover only drew, so we sit 3rd and two points off the lead.

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The local rag turn up on the doorstep on Wednesday morning, hot with the story that our form is collapsing to the extent of ruining our chances of promotion. Now, I've never told anyone that we were contenders for promotion, and the board didn't mention it at the beginning of the season either. I tell the reporter exactly that, and to my surprise the fans and the board all turn on me. "The fans will not tolerate failure." "We are surprised at your lack of optimism." "We expect the club to be shown in a more positive light in the future." All utter bóllocks. It's more likely that if I don't see a change in attitude soon I'll be walking out of this club.

As we prepare for a tricky away tie at 4th place Southport, Barnet play Margate live on Sky and throw away two points with a 0-0 draw. Good news, I suppose, but I've got my mind firmly on tactics. it's to be a wide 4-4-2 at least to start with at Haig Avenue. Heaton, Leo and Cameron return to the first eleven.

Neither side could muster a goal during the entire game. Our shooting was particularly poor, only 2 of 10 on target. Batty got the man of the match award which, as I've said before, speaks volumes.

Conference Game 35. 15th March 2003.
Southport 0 Stalybridge 0

Dover lost by the odd goal in five at Stevenage. Another chance to go top missed then.

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The run in continues with the visit of 6th place Slough Town. With the recent poor form of all the top sides, Slough must fancy themselves as having an outside shot at the championship, so it's a big match for all concerned. Dominic Crookes returns from injury and is available for selection. Seven days has given me plenty of time to analyse our failings in recent matches, so there are a few changes to make. First of all, both youngsters Cameron and Harris start, with the club's best winger on the right hand side. The strikers swap sides, and the captaincy is handed back to Heaton.

Once we see how Slough line up, Collins is given the job of marking young attacking midfielder Adam Murhpy out of the game. The 21 year old escaped the attention of my scout, but was devastating in his only other game for the conference newbies. We stutter and stumble our way through the first half hour, creating some chances but in line with recent form, taking none of them. Out of nowhere, Sergio Ommel picks the ball up, beats 5 (count them!) Slough players and buries the ball out of the keepers reach. A truly unbelievable goal! We could have been two up before half time, when Mackenzie shot from the edge of the area. The ball beat the diving keeper, only to bounce clear off the post.

If there was any doubt over our first half performance, there certainly wasn't in the second! The first significant attack of the half saw Collins and Harris combining to set Mackenzie away. The midfielder still had to beat a Slough defender before rifling the ball past the stationary keeper. Slough's heads dropped, and the tie was clearly just about won. Ommel sealed the victory with his 10th of the season, and even had time to complete his hattrick with ease before the referee put the visitors out of their misery. Ommel got the man of the match award in what was easily the strikers best performance for the club. Are you watching Mr Fortune-West?

Conference Game 36. 22nd March 2003
Stalybridge 4 Slough 0 Ommel 35,73,75 Mackenzie 52

The relief of a victory was immense. The lads were shouting and laughing and generally high as kites in the dressing room. I was equally happy for them, and determined to let them enjoy the success. Hopefully it would enable that bit of bonding to see us through the next 6 games. Even I couldn't believe the news my assistant brought in though. The fact that Dover had drawn at home against a struggling Chester side was not too much of a surprise, but I had to laugh when I saw that Barnet had thrown away a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 at Nuneaton. And that after Sam Swonnell had scored two first half goals! Steve Burr, Nuneaton manager, found himself right at the top of my Christmas card list. The consequence of all this? Stalybridge top again!

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * English Conference - Saturday 22nd March 2003********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2002/3 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st STALYBRIDGE 36 11 5 2 43 15 8 6 4 30 21 68 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Dover 36 12 2 4 35 19 8 5 5 23 19 67 3rd Barnet 36 9 4 5 32 24 10 5 3 33 24 66 4th Southport 36 10 3 4 29 18 10 3 6 29 25 66 5th Dag & Red 36 10 4 5 38 20 8 3 6 19 14 61 6th Nuneaton Borough 36 11 1 6 36 29 8 3 7 21 29 61 </pre>

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Proud, but nervous, we take the short trip to Cheshire neighbours, and FA Trophy conquerors Northwich Victoria. The game was a full week later, so no changes were required, but Northwich play a different game, preferring a 4-3-3 formation. Still, I figured that the eleven that started the last game were probably my best side so what the hell!

Amazingly, Northwich line up to play us at our own formation, so it's down to quality of players and team work here. The first 20 minutes passed without significant interest, other than a shot blasted over the bar by Harris, and a save at the other end by Batty. The rest of the half was frantic, though. Northwich, despite their lack of form, poor league position and vastly inferior individual players, started to take control of midfield. With ten minutes to go, on loan Barnsley midfielder and Greek Under 21 international Leo Bertos picked up on a loose ball after an excellent tackle from our unpronouncable left back, and put Northwich into the lead. Worse was to follow, as Challinor tackled Morrell five minutes later. The ball bounced loose towards Rob King, and at the same time it arrived, so did Hocking. The 18 year old forward went sprawling and, probably deservedly, a penalty wasn't awarded. As if that wasn't enough, referee Brass sent off the guilty defender. So we went into half time 1 man and two goals down. Not good.

Going all out for goal, we started the second half the stronger. We needed the early goal, and if we didn't get it there was always a risk that Northwich would hit us on the break. We didn't, and they did, exactly on the hour. I couldn't fault the effort, as it was the Northwich keeper who kept them in the game for that 15 minute spell. We attacked again, determined not to give up on this one, and unbelievably Northwhich scored a fourth on the break. Game, and possibly season, over?

Conference Game 37. 29th March 2003.
Northwich Victoria 4 Stalybridge 0 Bertos 36 Barnard 41(pen) King 60,75 (Stalybridge's Matt Hocking sent off, 41)

If I said, after all that, we were still first, would you believe it? Could you believe that Dover drew another game at home? Could you also believe that Barnet threw away another lead, 2-1 this time - and achieved with two more Swonnell goals, to lose 3-2 at home against the mighty Stafford Rangers? This amazing combination of events saves Matt Hocking from a certain fine, and I feel inclined to appeal instead.

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Sergio Ommel would miss a month with a nasty groin strain. In other words, that was probably the end of his season. This wasn't good news, as it came just as I was considering dropping Fortune-West, who hadn't scored in 6 games. It's also that time of the season when the Conference team of the year is decided. Three of my players; Batty, Fortune-West and Cameron; make the starting line up, with Collins available on the bench. Quite a good show, especially as there is no room for that bástard Swonnell.

Four games to go, and it's haway up to Blyth to play a hard tackling Spartans outfit. They came to the Bower Fold in November looking for just a point, and my scout sees no reason why they should try otherwise this time round. No reason, that is, except for the fact that they lie just one place outside the relegation zone and probably would like to avoid going straight back to the Unibond league. With this being Easter, and therefore a Monday game, there is tiredness throughout the team. The only changes I decide to make, however, are up front. Ommel and Leo out, Allison and McEwen in. Heaton is told to keep a close eye on winger Ian Clark and we're ready to go.

It's 1-0 to us in the first minute, and it's that man Mackenzie again. A good pass from Challinor splits the defence asunder. Now, can we hold on? Yes, but not for long enough. The dangerous Andy Lucas drifts effortlessly through our defence for a second time in as many minutes and it's 1-1. Harris and Cameron start to look distinctly tired as the first half ebbs away. I speak to the pair of them during the interval, and we agree that they can have ten more minutes to try and achieve something.

Ten minutes passes, nothing happens. Cameron comes off, Peters comes on and McEwen moves out to the right. I would claim this as a stroke of tactical genius, except none of the rearranged players are involved as Challinor sets up the second for Allison. There's no threat coming now from the home side, and we ease towards full time. It's just a matter of how long I dare leave it before making the rest of the substitutions. I can resist no more with 6 minutes left to play. Harris and Mackenzie depart, to a rousing ovation form the visiting fans, and Hart and Peacock come on. Hart plays out of position on the left, Peacock on the right as McEwen moves into a third position in the centre of the attacking midfield. Maybe this one is a stroke of tactical genius, as McEwen feeds Peters and the young centre forward scores for the second game in a row. Clincher!

Conference Game 39. 7th April 2003.
Blyth Spartans 1 Stalybridge 3 Lucas 30 / Mackenzie 2 Allison 59 Peters 87

Again, there's a nightmarish wait for the scores to come through.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Barnet 3 Woking 1Dover 2 Hayes 0Southport 0 Slough 0</pre>
Not a lot of help there then really.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st STALYBRIDGE 39 12 5 2 47 16 9 6 5 33 26 74 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Dover 39 13 3 4 37 19 8 6 5 26 22 72 3rd Barnet 39 10 4 6 37 28 11 5 3 37 26 72 4th Southport 39 10 4 5 29 19 11 3 6 32 26 70 </pre>

What the day's results do mean, is the end of Conference football for Northwich Victoria. I can't say I'm sad to see our county colleagues go. I just hope they haven't stopped another Cheshire side from exiting the top end of the league on the way.

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With only three games to go, it's all to play for. I hesitate to say it, but it looks as though we have the easier run in. 12th place Farnborough (home), 9th place Boston (away) and finishing with a visit from Chester who currently lie 16th. Dover must visit relegated Yeovil, before two tough games against 5th place Nuneaton and local rivals Margate. Barnet are at Slough (7th), home to Southport and away at Stevenage (8th). Amazingly at this stage of the competition, 13 teams have some say or other as to where the league title, and that all important promotion, will end up.

My scout tells me once again that Farnborough's Ricky Baptiste is one to keep our defenders on their toes, whilst that Bástard Swonnell can't do anything wrong, as the media are singing his praises. Admittedly 16 goals and 7 assists from 24 games is a bloody good return, but John Still doesn't seem to think so and the player is unsettled by this. His release clause of £425k will be tempting if we do manage to get promotion!

The only change to the starting line up for Farnborough's visit sees Crookes come in for the suspended Hocking. Leo gets a place on the bench, but I don't really want to drop anyone from the last match.

It looks like Leo may not be needed, as McEwen lays the ball off to Allison for the burley striker to notch his 10th of the season. Not bad for a striker who has spent more time out of the side than in it. He shows he can create as well, as he sets up Mackenzie only to see the on form midfielder head over the bar. As so often seems to happen, we are caught on the break, and Farnborough's left back steams down field and sets Baptiste up. The striker lives up to his reputation and puts the ball away, but the goal is disallowed for offside, much to my relief.

Almost from the second half kick off, we break down field and Dave McEwen gets his goal. Not before Mackenzie's had two chances at it though, hitting the post and having his second attempt palmed away to McEwen's feet. In another penalty area scramble, sub Leo hits the post and McEwen puts the rebound against the crossbar before the static Farnborough defence can clear. Could we possibly regret all these missed chances? Possibly, as Farnborough get one back on the hour mark. We are still doing most of the attacking though, but I won't feel comfortable until we restore the two goal cushion. The goal comes within ten minutes, but from the most unlikely of sources. Heaton crosses a freekick into the area which Peacock collects. The midfielder dribbles past one man and fires a left footed shot at goal which the keeper did well to parry away. Who should follow up, but captain Steve Heaton to score his first goal in 71 appearances for the club. It's comfortable now alright, and as the referee blows his final whistle I cannot recall many games we have dominated as much as this. We notched up 19 shots, some 13 of them on target and only a star performance from the Farnborough keeper stopped this from being another Telford. Dave McEwen got the man of the match award, as the forward finally started to show the form he should be capable of.

Conference Game 40. 12th April 2003.
Stalybridge 3 Farnborough 1 Allison 11 McEwen 48 Heaton 67 / De Souza 62

Another breathless wait for final score on Radio 5, the whole squad this time crowding round the radio.
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Southport 2 Stevenage 1Yeovil 1 Dover 2</pre>
No help there, then. Barnet would play on the Wednesday as their opponents were involved in the FA Trophy.

When Wednesday finally comes, I afford myself a little laugh as Barnet lose at Slough 1-0. Unfortunately, it's not a Sam Swonnell own goal, and he isn't the player sent off in the first half either, but you can't have everything!
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st STALYBRIDGE 40 13 5 2 50 17 9 6 5 33 26 77 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Dover 40 13 3 4 37 19 9 6 5 28 23 75 3rd Southport 40 11 4 5 31 20 11 3 6 32 26 73 4th Barnet 40 10 4 6 37 28 11 5 4 37 27 72 </pre>

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During our comically timed mid-April break, Exeter are confirmed as the team we hope to be changing places with, or alternatively a long away trip next season! Meanwhile Boston are well and truely scouted, and David Town, their 17 goal striker, is rated as one to watch. It's somewhat satisfying to see Wigan pick up the Vans Trophy, or whatever it's called these days, what with them being responsible for our exit - being beaten by the champions sounds better than just being beaten. Steve Bushell was not involved in the final, however. The week off also gives me a chance to keep a close eye on the transfer market. Whilst it's difficult to make any big decisions at this stage, not knowing what league we'll be playing in next season, there are some opportunities that cannot be ignored. One of these such opportunities arises when Southampton decide they no longer require the services of Chris Marsden. The defensive midfielder is 34, and probably only has one season left, but when I spoke with his agent it became clear he would be happy with a reasonably inexpensive package as long as it included a coaching element. Talk about snapping his hand off!

It's make or break weekend, and realistically it's between us and Dover. Barnet have chucked it away and Southport are probably coming good too late. We travel to Boston, whilst Dover entertain Nuneaton, and ironically these four teams make up four of the top five form teams in the division. We get a confidence booster as the reserves pummel the opposition 3-0 with Salt getting a couple and Peters keeping his eye in (an explosive combination if ever I saw one! ).

The good news is there is absolutely no need to break up a winning team. So unchanged it is! Challinor is briefed to mark Town, and the full backs are told to mark up tight as well. Don't want to be giving any silly early goals away, do we?

Well, Boston know what a football game is supposed to be about, and they come out attacking, but it's us with the first chance as Harris heads over. The next chance doesn't come until the half hour mark, when McEwen wins a freekick. Mackenzie forces a good save from the keeper, but nothing comes from the resulting corner. The half draws quietly to a close, and the 2400 or so fans are looking a little disappointed at the level of action so far.

There's nothing to be worried about, I tell my team at half time. Although we haven't exactly created much, we've completely locked Boston out of scoring opportunities. Despite telling everyone involved with the club that I didn't want to know any scores from other games, the news somehow manages to filter through that Dover are losing 1-0. If that result remains the same, then a point would probably be enough here, but I can't tell the lads that, so I send them out fired up for a win.

Boston try a couple of interesting tactical shuffles in the first 15 minutes of the half, but we match them and eventually get our goal, as Cameron crosses in for Mackenzie, who extends his scoring streak. We lose Dominic Crookes with an injury 15 from the end, but it doesn't overly concern me at this stage. Woods takes his place. Leo comes on for Allison as well to make it a double switch. There's one more scary moment in the match, as Weatherstone picks up a loose ball and blasts it almost casually over the bar, before the referee blows his whistle and gives us what might turn out to be the most important three points of the season so far...

Conference Game 41. 26th April 2003.
Boston Utd 0 Stalybridge 1 Mackenzie 62

Back in the dressing room, we tune into Sports Report again...

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Given that we won, the only result that matters is the Dover one. If they've lost, it's all over and we're champions. If they've drawn, well it's all but mathematically secure thanks to our superb goal difference. If they've won it will go down to the wire. As usual, the Radio 5 presenter takes an age waffling on about a day of Premiership action which, on the face of it, has been quite boring, before uttering the immortal words:

"But first, the full classified results, with James Alexander Gordon."

Mr Gordon's voice, familiar to all football fans across the country, strides into action.

"Barclaycard Premiership. Arsenal 3, Charlton Athletic 1"

It's infuriating how slow this guy can read some times. He seems to be taking an absolute age to get through just the Premiership, never mind the nationwide leagues!

"Chesterfield 4, Peterborough United 2"

About halfway through the second division now then, and some of the players are twitching nervously. Others have gone and hidden in the showers, unable to listen. My Assistant is busy too, keeping the dressing room door shut to stop the barrage of press from intruding. We've already worked out from today's programme what order the conference results are going to come through in...

"York City 2, Exeter City 2." This is it then, I think. "Nationwide Conference. Barnet 2, Southport 1."

Some mutters there, but everyone knows it's inconsequential.

"Blyth Spartans 1, Scarborough 1. Boston Utd 0, Stalybridge 1"

A brief cheer there, but it's faded down by the time the next result is read

"Chester City 2, Margate 0. Dagenham & Redbridge 2, Hayes 0"

You could hear a pin drop. It felt like there was no oxygen in the room, and everyone was holding their breath. Come on James! Spit it out!

"Dover Athletic 0..."

And you could tell from the inclination in his voice that it was an away win. I don't think anyone ever found out how many Nuneaton had scored. I don't think anybody cared. Players and staff alike tore up and down the dressing room, hugging one another. The Chairman fought his way threw a crowd of journalists, with a case of champagne in his arms, and soon the bubbly was flowing and the celebrations underway. Credit to Boston's manager Steve Evans, who was one of the first to come and congratulate us.

I was actually starting to believe it. Stalybridge Celtic were going to be in the football league!

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The next week was one of utter celebrations all around. Dominic Crookes didn't let his bruised shin get in the way of a good party. If anything, he was drinking more than anyone else, safe in the knowledge that he wasn't likely to be playing the following Saturday. I didn't want to be any sort of downer on their high spirits, but we owed it to the fans to send the season off in style at home to Chester. There were major discussion to be had about the restructuring of the club as well, but they, too, could wait a while.

We may be partying hard, but I don't miss the London Evening Standard report, lavishing praise on Conference Player Sam Swonnell. That feels good to be able to say that, Conference player! I'm also informed by the club that Dundee United are showing an interest, which somewhat forces my arm into tabling a bid. Probably not a sensible thing to do when pÃ*ssed!

The start of May brings April's manager of the month award my way, hardly surprising as we won all four games in the month! It also brings a reserve game at the Deva Stadium, which my youngsters really don't look up for. They lose 2-0 and at least two of them reportedly throw up on the pitch. Barnet return my offer for Swonnell with the words "We can't read your writing. P.S. Get yer ****ing northern mits of Swonnell."

I really hate John Still.