Post by Cantankerous Gas on May 26, 2015 7:16:40 GMT
CHAIRMAN Nick Higgs surveyed the jubilant scene from the top of an open-top bus and immediately promised supporters that Bristol Rovers would never again make the same mistakes that led to them losing their Football League status last season.
Rovers became the first team in a decade to make a return to the Football League at the first time of asking by claiming a tense penalty shootout victory over Grimsby Town at Wembley just more than a week ago.
Yesterday, Higgs, along with manager Darrell Clarke and the rest of the squad, celebrated their achievement by parading the Vanarama Promotion trophy on a bus tour through blue-and-white lined streets from Warmley down to Lawrence Hill
"It was a day for our supporters," said Higgs. "They have been behind us throughout the season and to see all the smiling faces we encountered as we made our way around on the bus was fantastic. It is amazing what a difference a year can make.
"We have got back to the Football League at the first attempt and we have broken practically every record along the way in getting there. It has been a huge success and credit to Darrell and the players for what they have achieved.
"We were unlucky not to do it automatically and from the point of view of my own health that would have been the best way to do it. But Wembley was a great day that will live long in the memory for me and for all of our supporters.
"We have learned lessons because all in all relegation cost us about £1 million. Had we not managed to win promotion we would have been in for a very tough year. We had a contingency plan, but, thankfully, we can now stick to plan A.
"We didn't think we were going to get relegated – I don't think anybody ever does – particularly when you consider the situation we were in at the end of that season.
"Things conspired against us on the last day and what is crucial for us is that we never put ourselves in that situation again. I think the momentum we have built up along with the team spirit that Darrell has created gives me real belief that we will be challenging as opposed to struggling in League Two next season."
Clarke, meanwhile, has already earmarked the arrival of "four or five" new players in a bid to turn that ambition in to a reality, and Higgs added: "Darrell has set the benchmark this season and we know that he won't settle for anything other than a realistic promotion challenge again next season.
"He has been made aware of his playing budget and he can now go away and spend it. If we have a good start to the season and that is reflected in the crowd numbers then there will be more money for him to spend if he needs it as the season unfolds.
"That's the best way to do it because if you spend all of your budget up front you have nothing to fall back on and then you are not able to sign key players at key times like we did with Chris Lines towards the end of this season."
Rovers became the first team in a decade to make a return to the Football League at the first time of asking by claiming a tense penalty shootout victory over Grimsby Town at Wembley just more than a week ago.
Yesterday, Higgs, along with manager Darrell Clarke and the rest of the squad, celebrated their achievement by parading the Vanarama Promotion trophy on a bus tour through blue-and-white lined streets from Warmley down to Lawrence Hill
"It was a day for our supporters," said Higgs. "They have been behind us throughout the season and to see all the smiling faces we encountered as we made our way around on the bus was fantastic. It is amazing what a difference a year can make.
"We have got back to the Football League at the first attempt and we have broken practically every record along the way in getting there. It has been a huge success and credit to Darrell and the players for what they have achieved.
"We were unlucky not to do it automatically and from the point of view of my own health that would have been the best way to do it. But Wembley was a great day that will live long in the memory for me and for all of our supporters.
"We have learned lessons because all in all relegation cost us about £1 million. Had we not managed to win promotion we would have been in for a very tough year. We had a contingency plan, but, thankfully, we can now stick to plan A.
"We didn't think we were going to get relegated – I don't think anybody ever does – particularly when you consider the situation we were in at the end of that season.
"Things conspired against us on the last day and what is crucial for us is that we never put ourselves in that situation again. I think the momentum we have built up along with the team spirit that Darrell has created gives me real belief that we will be challenging as opposed to struggling in League Two next season."
Clarke, meanwhile, has already earmarked the arrival of "four or five" new players in a bid to turn that ambition in to a reality, and Higgs added: "Darrell has set the benchmark this season and we know that he won't settle for anything other than a realistic promotion challenge again next season.
"He has been made aware of his playing budget and he can now go away and spend it. If we have a good start to the season and that is reflected in the crowd numbers then there will be more money for him to spend if he needs it as the season unfolds.
"That's the best way to do it because if you spend all of your budget up front you have nothing to fall back on and then you are not able to sign key players at key times like we did with Chris Lines towards the end of this season."
What do you think the playing budget will be?
Back up to the 2013/14 level of £1.7m?
