Campaign finale for Tadcaster Albion (From York Press)

Campaign finale for Tadcaster Albion

10:41am Friday 4th May 2012 in Sport

TONIGHT’S the night when a roller-coaster Northern Counties East League premier division campaign finally ends for Tadcaster Albion, writes Samuel Burton.

Due to the fixture congestion suffered by Staveley Miners Welfare, the Brewers will wrap up their season at home to the FA Vase semi-finalists tonight (7.45pm).

Albion are effectively guaranteed an eighth-place finish from a term that initially promised so much.

But Albion assistant manager Rob Hunter believes the season has been a positive one and the future looks very bright.

He said: “After a good start to the season it began to get difficult after Christmas as we lost a few key players for different reasons.

“But if we can get a win in our last game that will put us only one point away from our last season’s total when we finished fourth.

“So considering we had such a bad run we believe that next season we can really go for it.”

He and manager Paul Marshall have been encouraged by talks with club officials.

Said Hunter: “We have had a couple of discussions with the chairman and it all sounds really good. He shares our ambition and has told us to really give it a go to win the league.

“If you look at Retford and Bridlington they have both been consistent all season so we know it’s important to not have a run like that again.”

And already looking ahead to squad strengthening, the assistant explained: “For the first time we are looking to sign some players to contracts at the club.

“We aim to have about five or six of the lads who have been exceptional this season given these contracts and we also want to look at bringing in players, but they have to be players who are better than what we have so we can really push on.”

Only Nathan Kamara will be missing for tonight’s final encounter.

Meanwhile, this weekend will see the club celebrate a huge landmark for president Kevin Derry, who reaches 40 years service at the Ings Lane outfit.

Enthused Hunter: “To be involved in this club for 40 years is unbelievable.

“It’s a voluntary role and he has shown such dedication to Tadcaster, so everyone is looking forward to thanking him as we throw a celebration for him after the player awards.”