Newark FC survive scare to secure step five football for fourth successive season

Despite a late relegation scare, Newark FC will be playing step five football for a fourth successive season next year.

The club, which moved to Basford United’s Greenwich Avenue Stadium at the start of the season following the loss of Lowfields, finished on 24 points after a campaign which saw them lose their chairman, long-term managerial duo and much of their supporter base due to the 50-mile round-trip move.

However, it wasn’t all negative as the club held its league status — with the help of 81 registered players and a core group of volunteers and club stuff — and, potentially, now has a county cup final to look forward to should they beat Mansfield Town under-23s tonight in the Notts Senior Cup (7.45pm kick-of).

Secretary Kevin Presland, who helped keep the club afloat after losing its chairman, said his mission had been accomplished.

“We knew we were safe at step five due to our points-per-game total, but it is nice to achieve it by virtue of league position.

“To everyone who got behind the team, whether it was backroom staff, sponsors, committee or the magnificent fans, thank you.”

Goalkeeper Sam Andrew, Newark’s joint-third highest appearance maker this season with 26, behind captain Danny Meadows (29) and defender Joshua Stevenson (34), summed up the club’s season on social media.

“It has been some ride since joining Newark,” he said.

“The chairman left, we have had three gaffers, about 80 players, some good wins and some big defeats, but we’re staying up.

“Despite it all, the boys have dug deep and the club will be playing step five again next season.”

Presland said there would be clarity on their home ground situation after May 3, following a meeting with the YMCA, Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Town and sponsors.

The YMCA site would require 100 covered seats and a covered standing area fit for 50 fans to fit within step five ground grading.

Should the process go smoothly, Newark may have to play a run of away fixtures at the start of the season while the work takes place. Alternatively, they could start the season with a different home venue before moving to the YMCA.