Securing promotion from the UCL Premier Division has always been Holbeach United’s number one target this season – and that dream has now come one step closer to reality.
The Football Association (FA) confirmed earlier this week that both the Tigers and league leaders AFC Rushden and Diamonds had applied for promotion before the November 30 deadline – meaning that whoever finishes higher will likely go up at the end of the season.
Co-boss John Chand admits that everyone at the club is excited by the prospect of going up, but has called on the club’s fans to cheer them to a historic promotion ahead of Saturday’s Carter’s Park clash with Oadby Town (3pm).
Holbeach’s attendances aren’t as high this season, as compared to the impressive numbers that turned out to see them win the title under Chand back in 2013.
And with both Sky Sports and BT Sport now available in the Tigers Social Club, Chand wants the fans to come back to Carter’s Park.
He said: “Our promotion bid is very positive. It was one of the key reasons I agreed to come back here.
“It’s no secret that I wouid have loved to take the 2013 team up to the next level, so this is a real shot in the arm for me personally.
“For the players, they basically know that finishing above Rushden and Diamonds will be good enough for promotion too. That’s a big carrot.
“Hopefully the fans will get behind us too. We’re on average about 50 down on the numbers we used to get a few years back. Hopefully people will see Carter’s Park as they best place to spend their Saturday now.
“You can watch the Tigers, then catch some Premier League football in the bar.
“I want us to get that atmosphere back. The fans really make a difference.
“It’s an exciting time with us in the FA Vase, Lincs Cup, League Cup and going for the title or promotion.”
Third-placed Holbeach have no new injury concerns for the visit of relegation-threatened Oadby.
Chand admits only results are important at this stage of the season – and would relish a repeat of the scrappy 1-0 win they gained in the reverse back in September.
