Magheraveely FC manager Lewis Bennett spoke of his pride and delight at his team’s return to the top flight of the Fermanagh and Western, after Lisnaskea Rovers forfeited their Division Two game on Saturday.
After an unimaginably tough season, marked by the deaths of player Mark Johnston and Johnny Little, father of current player Andy Little, the team worked through a backlog of fixtures to claim an instant return to the top tier.
Boss Bennett was quick to praise his team for their strength and resilience through one of the darkest periods in the club’s history.
“Of course it’s not the way we wanted to do it but I’m absolutely over the moon. If you told me in November after the deaths we suffered, and then the backlog of fixtures we had to play, that we’d be in this position I’d have bitten your hand off for it.
“I didn’t think this would ever be possible and understandably I didn’t think the lads would get their heads right for this season. But, full credit to them all they did, and they have been amazing.
“I’m delighted and so proud of how they have reacted and got themselves a well-deserved promotion.”
Given the tragedy suffered by the club late last year, Bennett was quick to comment on how his team have been inspired to turn it into a catalyst to bring some positivity to the community.
“I think it certainly did act as a driving force, and it certainly did for Andy Little.
“He’s been a different player this season, he’s been a complete animal and the main man getting us promoted.”
With promotion secured, Bennett says his team are still focused on winning the league, but his main aim has been achieved for the club.
“It is still an aim, but I promised the fans at the start of the year that we would win promotion, so anything else would be icing on the cake.”
The club currently plays their home games in Clones, but Bennett shared information on a return to Magheraveely in the near future.
“We had a meeting two or three weeks ago about a return to playing in Magheraveely and it looks good, so full steam ahead with that I guess.”
With the return to the top-flight secured, Bennett is already looking towards next season and strengthening his squad to avoid a relegation scrap.
“We should be able to attract more players now. I had a few lined up in the summer but when we got relegated they didn’t want to play Division Two which is fair enough.
“We don’t want to be in a relegation battle next season. We want to get a few more players in and we want to be pushing mid table, at least.”
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