By Andrew McDonnell (@AndrewSJourno)
Manager Nicky Gray claimed that the celebrations at Fair Day for their FA Vase success was “probably the best day” in Morpeth Town’s 132-years of existence.
Gray spoke in the town hall after they paraded down the centre of Morpeth with the trophy, and he feels that his side are “more hungry now” for success.
Thousands of people lined the streets on Sunday to welcome their heroes after their 4-1 victory over Hereford FC at Wembley, and the rain certainly didn’t dampen their parade.
“Wow was my first thoughts,” Gray said. “It is a wonderful feeling and it is great for the players to have smiles on their faces and seeing friends and families waving at them.
“It is a wonderful feeling, alot of us, including myself, haven’t had days like this and you want to strive for more success, that is what we want to do.
“It is probably the best day in the club’s history. Today has accumulated from all the previous years, the 132 years of history for the club.
“We wouldn’t have got there if it wasn’t for the previous players, committee, managers and supporters, so everyone has a part to play in getting here today.
“Now hopefully we can get the backing, which I think the town has show, where we can take steps to go further and higher up.
“The rain stopped for the hour we did it (the parade), and the turn out was fantastic and the support has been wonderful and the players can’t praise the supporters highly enough.”
From groundsharing with a side in the division above, to being one of the top teams in the Northern League, Gray has seen it all as his time as manager, and he has no intentions of stopping anytime soon.
He said: “The club was nearly folding the day we came, managers were leaving to go to other clubs and I don’t think a manager that comes here now would want to go to another club.
“Me and Dave (Malone) are happy here, its challenging, but its enjoyable. You look at it now and little Morpeth Town have won the FA Vase against the biggest club that’s been to the final.
“We spanked them at Wembley and that is a wonderful achievement, so we need to move on from that. I think we are going in the right direction, but we can’t stand still.”
Gray labelled this experience as “once in a lifetime”, but he doesn’t want his side to be complacent with this success, he is eager to bring in more silverware next season.
“It is a once in a lifetime thing, we have had the opportunity to do it, but we know we can do it and with the club going forward, we know we can do it again,” Gray added.
“Yes, you need a bit of luck, and yes, you need the rub of the green, but its not in your wildest dreams, teams will look at us and say ‘if Morpeth can get there then we can get there’.
“We are hungry for more success, the players we have signed and the calibre of them is because they want success, they wouldn’t drop in leagues if there wasn’t going to be a thought of success here.
“That is what we need to do, build on this, we don’t need to stand still, we don’t need to think that that’s the job done, it is only the job starting.
“We need to progress from here, and it is the best time to do it now. From the coaching staff, to the managers, right the way through to the committee and supporters we need to step on and push from here.”
Main Image by Chris Chambers (CJC Photo) – Official Club Photographer
