Villagers earn civic honours as they seal treble

Non-League North Ferriby United rounded off their campaign with an astonishing treble, finishing as champions of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League and lifting the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Cup and the East Riding Senior Cup, making it the most successful season in the club’s history.

Remarkably, The Villagers will kick-off next season just two divisions below the Football League, and their achievements will be formally recognised with a civic reception hosted by East Riding Council at the Treasure House in Beverley next Tuesday night.

Four days later they will be presented with the league trophy at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool.

The reception in Beverley will be attended by United’s players, management, and sponsors, as well as local dignitaries including council leader Stephen Parnaby and council chairman Claude Mole.

Coun Mole said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved with North Ferriby United for a truly outstanding season and I wish them all the best for the future as they take on the new challenges of the Conference North.

“The football club is an integral part of the North Ferriby community and their popularity is unquestionable given the turnout by supporters and the messages of congratulations received over the past few weeks.”

He added: “North Ferriby’s success adds to a memorable year for football in East Yorkshire and is hopefully a positive sign of further things to come.”

The Green and Whites previously gained national recognition in 1997 by reaching the final of the FA Vase at Wembley, where they lost 3-0 to Whitby Town, but they have long punched above their weight and count Tigers’ legend Dean Windass among their former players.

Everyone associated with the club is still pinching themselves, however, after bringing a new era of glory to the Rapid Solicitors’ Stadium in Church Road.

“It’s been a fabulous season, no doubt,” said United chairman Les Hare.

“I’ve been involved in non-League football for 30 years and you can count your good times on one hand, so to have a season like this is remarkable.

“It’s the biggest achievement in North Ferriby’s history.”

Mr Hare said everyone involved deserved credit, but particular mention should go to the new management duo of boss Billy Heath and his assistant Mark Carroll, who arrived 18 months ago.

He said: “Between them they’ve completely turned around the fortunes on the field, made astute signings, and their expertise in man-management and their coaching abilities has been superb.

“As far as the players are concerned, what has also contributed is that in the past we’ve always had a reasonable team but we’ve never had a squad. You need to have for consistency purposes a good squad of players and this season the lads sat on the bench have been as good as the players on the field.”

There have also been some stellar performances from the players, not least from the league’s top scorer Ryan Kendall, another former Tiger.

The 23-year-old won the league’s Golden Boot award for his 36 goals, the National Game Awards Step 3 and 4 Player of the Year Award, was third in the Strike Force national goalscorers’ competition, while also being voted Supporters’ Player of the Year in the Northern Premier League.

Mr Hare said the club would enjoy the “adventure” of playing at a higher level while keeping their feet on the ground.

“Over the years we’ve always wanted to play football at the highest level we can, but you’ve got to be able to match aspirations with reality.

“The main priority next season will be to stay up and consolidate and see where this adventure in Conference football takes us.

“We always play with a smile on our faces.”