In the latest section of manager Nick Gray’s season review, the gaffer addressed a tough start which had some outside the club doubting the credentials of the newly-promoted Morpeth Town.

The Highwaymen faced Whitby Town, FC United of Manchester, Warrington Town and Lancaster City all within the opening few weeks of their maiden season in the Northern Premier League.

One FC United fan even predicted a table with us finishing bottom!

Playing at the highest level of football in their history, it would be something of a culture shock initially before the team gathered momentum and quickly climbed the table.

“I don’t think it was a case of having a difficult start,” said Gray to the club website.

“I had reservations privately that the squad we had at the start of the season would find it hard as it was the highest step the club had been competing in in its history.

“That’s not being disrespectful to any players, especially new players coming in, it just took time for the squad to gel. The players who have been with the club a good while will be the first to admit they weren’t performing to their usual high standards.

“When you’re desperate to get positive results as a manager, I usually stick with the players I know best and trust most so unfortunately the new players, rightly or wrongly, didn’t get as many chances as they would like. I knew the lads we had would come good because they’re a top squad who are winners.”

As the squad adjusted to a new division and discovered how to combat an unforgiving, ruthless league, they soon found themselves on an unbeaten run which would stretch to 10 games before the campaign was prematurely brought to a close.

“The run from Christmas coincided with having the squad I wanted and all 18 players getting to the peaks of their own games,” continued Gray.

“Before the season was declared null and void, we had 18 players who, whichever 11 players I put on the field, I knew none of them would let the club down.

“I had 18 players, along with an unbelievable backroom staff, with no weakness on and just importantly off the pitch.”