High-fliers heading in the right direction

Chairman Gary Clarke said the club would be pulling out all the stops to ensure Newark Flowserve were in position to gain promotion.

The club won their 22nd successive game in the Notts Senior League Premier Division on Saturday to move within sight of the finish line.

However, they are still in a race against time to make sufficient changes to the ground by March 31 to be at the required standard for step-six football.

They are the only club from the Notts Senior League to have applied for promotion, and work is ongoing to improve the Lowfields ground.

Clarke said the progress made so far this season had come as a surprise to the club — they were planning for a top-six finish.

“We have been building towards this the last couple of years and made sure we kept implementing small improvements,” Clarke said.

“Everything this year has just clicked. No one is sure if there has been a start to the season like this before in the area.

“Don’t get me wrong, it is great that it has happened, but it was not what we were thinking about at the start of the season.

“Before we started this season we discussed our expectations for the season and were looking at the top-six. Then we were hoping to push on and be in this position at this time next year.”

Planning permission has been submitted for floodlights and a covered area to provide seating for spectators.

An initial plan for a stand providing space for 40 seats and 40 people standing will be made with the option to extend in the future.

Work has already started on creating concrete paths all the way around the ground, which should be completed in the next few days.

The ground needs to be ready for the March 31 deadline, with the exception of the floodlights, which could be installed later this year.

'A challenging time, but an enjoyable challenge'

Clarke said the process had been made more difficult due to the quick turnaround needed.

“Because of that start everything has moved forward 12 months. We are having to get the ground improved and the facilities improved at the wrong time of year.

“There were plans to do a few things over the year to get ourselves into position, but nothing as expansive as we have been pushed into now.

“It has been a challenging time, but an enjoyable challenge.

“We are in a good position in that we have very good facilities to begin with so there’s no ripping out of changing rooms and making drastic changes.

“Now it’s more about enhancing what we do have and making small changes to get it ready.”

He said managers Craig Roche and Stephen Kirkham had done an excellent job to get the club within touching distance of promotion.

“They treat the players with the right amount of respect,” he said.

“They are not old-style managers so, even if it is warranted, they will not be giving the hairdryer treatment.

“Their whole approach to the dynamic of the team has had a massive impact on the performances.

“It comes across that the team are playing like a bunch of mates. Yes, they are representing Newark and the club, but ultimately it could be a group of mates with jumpers for goalposts.

“We also have great people across the club, who all contribute in ways people don’t always see to make sure everything goes well.”