There were emotional scenes as Cornard United celebrated the club’s first promotion in 34 years after beating hosting Holland FC 3-1 in Saturday’s Thurlow Nunn League First Division North Play-Off Final.
The Ards will be playing in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division for the first time in 28 years – having been relegated in 1995/96 – when the 2024/25 season kicks off.
A 12-game unbeaten run that included eight victories saw Gary Monti’s side pick up 28 points from a possible 36 to claim the final play-off spot.
And they carried that red-hot form into the promotion deciders, going to second-placed Framlingham Town and recording a 2-1 victory in the semi-final ahead of a convincing victory at third-placed Holland FC.
Luis Berkane’s fifth-minute header from a Tyler Kemp corner got them off to the perfect start ahead of Luke Spurling tucking away a 57th-minute penalty after Charlie Lindoe’s shot had hit a hand.
Youngster Spurling then put them into dreamland by finishing a Tyler Kemp throughball on the hour mark before the hosts eventually replied too little, too late 10 minutes from time.
Monti, who inherited a side in 12th place and 10 points off the top five when arriving from First Division South side Southend Manor in November, said: “No-one thought this was going to happen to be honest, the club were quite happy to stay up and just plod along, no-one thought we would do it.
“But the squad of players I’ve brought together included some really good ones like Josh Hughes from Stanway and it galvanised the team and the spirit has been excellent, especially the last 15 games.”
Monti was left surprised by how comfortably his side managed the final, played out in front of a crowd of 455.
He said: “It wasn't as tough as I thought it was going to be, they didn’t really play any football around us – they were playing long ball the whole game – and we coped with everything they threw at us really.
“They obviously scored near the end but that was down to the pressure of them trying to get back into the game.”
Of the full-time scenes, he said: “It was quite emotional to be honest, I got a bit choked at the end.
“All the supporters were there and it was great.
“They haven’t had any success for a while so I suppose that had built up in them and they just let it all out at the final whistle.”
Chairman and former manager Tom Clark was one of those left brimming with pride.
He said: “The club are very proud of what Gary and his team have achieved since coming into the club.
“Their contribution has been rewarded through promotion which is nothing less than they deserve.”
The performance in the final had come without one of their star players, former Colchester United professional Ollie Sims, involved after the Great Cornard-raised midfielder had damaged his ankle ligaments after a heavy challenge in the semi-final.
Meanwhile, Cornard are set to share their Blackhouse Lane ground next season with former AFC Sudbury promotion winner Joshua Pollard’s Kings Park Rangers team.
The latter have drawn sizeable crowds and interest on social media in their debut campaign which has seen them achieve promotion to the Essex & Suffolk Border League Premier Division after coming runners-up in Division One. They had been sharing a ground at Earls Colne FC.
Clark said: “We are pleased to announce a ground share with Kings Park Rangers who we are delighted to share a journey with.
“We hope that by sharing our ground we can both develop our clubs on and off the pitch.”
