Clay Cross Town desperate to finally seal promotion to step six

Clay Cross Town are gunning for promotion next season.

Town topped the CMFL North Division before the season was curtailed, making it two seasons in a row where a likely promotion has been denied.

And Clark says all focus will now be on achieving step six status when the 2021/22 campaign kicks off.

“We have been static for two seasons now and want that promotion,” he said.

“Two promotions have been denied for us, but we are where we are. We are serious about promotion and have got a decent squad.

“We were running clear two seasons ago and it looked like it was favourable this year, even if it was only a few games in.”

But Clark knows it may be a tougher nut to crack if they cannot retain a settled squad.

“We hope to crack it next season, but we are relying on players' loyalty at our level,” he added.

“We don't play players and they are good enough to play a level above so we have that crisis to face. Had it been a natural progression without COVID I think we would have started 2020/21 at step six and been holding our own.

“Now it could be 2022/23, so how long are people going to hold their break?

“We are trying to keep in touch with the lads so they know we are still around. We are updating whenever we know things.

“The most important thing was to get out of this pandemic, by the same token we want to build for the future and have a plan in place.

“That is to develop the ground and keep attracting quality players.

“We are just looking forward to playing competitive football again and be back in the battle for promotion again.”

Clark still has hope that the club may be moved up to step six level during the summer if leagues are restructured.

“I have spoken to every possible football body, such as the FA, our league and the Derbyshire FA,” he added.

“I have been putting my points over since mid-January. If there is an opportunity in terms of a gap then we want to be there. We need to get to step six and then the world is our oyster.”

Clay Cross Town will return to training and play inter-club friendlies when allowed to boost match fitness.