Pic: Kevin Richards
IT may not quite have been Jamie Vardy havin’ a party, but Royston manager Steve Castle felt like breaking out the vodka and Bacardi!
Just like Leicester City famously did last year at the home of Non-League football‘s most famous ever export, the Southern Central side gathered together to see them confirmed as champions when they didn’t need to do it themselves.
Castle may not have opened his doors to his players like Vardy did when Chelsea played – and eventually held – Tottenham Hotspur last year but they did mark the occasion together.
Royston won it last Tuesday as Farnborough failed to beat Kempston, but it’s been all over for quite some time anyway.
Celebrations
“I wouldn’t have them all over to mine to watch the score come in!” said Castle. “But I did cancel training and we all went to the club as the reserves were playing.
“We cheered them on for a bit then kept a close eye on Twitter as the Farnborough game was going on.
“We waited for it to come through in the bar and have a nice moment together when it was confirmed we had won the league.
“There was muted celebrations on Saturday. We beat Northwood and only goal difference stopped us winning it – it was +30 but it was lovely to all be together to see it officially confirmed.
“At full time we actually went onto the pitch and had our own team photo. God knows what the ressies’ opposition thought!
“I’ve been in the football trade for long enough to realise that these moments don’t come around too often. You’ve got to enjoy them and savour every second of it.”
The title success was even more impressive considering the heartache of the years before.
No fear
Castle said: “The last two years we’ve finished second and failed in the play-offs – it’s so awkward at this level of football where only one team goes up automatically.
“This hasn’t just happened over night. The spine of our team is very strong and our biggest target was getting up without the play-offs because we just don’t seem to perform in them.
“I’m so pleased with how we kicked on in 2017. Games we were maybe winning one or two-nil we are now winning by four or five.”
The Royston manager wants his players to “revel” in playing at Step 3 and says he already has enough experience in his side to achieve next year.
“It’s a no-fear approach,” he said. “We’ve got a good side and if it’s the Southern League or the Ryman we will give it a good go.
“I’m very proud of the boys because winning a league is never an easy thing to do. We looked at Farnborough coming down and knew they would be a threat but we’ve been the best team and that takes some doing.”
