Ahead of our Northern Premier League West Play-Off Final on Saturday afternoon, we caught up with Grant Shenton as he provided his thoughts on the season so far and his mindset going into our fixture this weekend.
Thanks for your time, Shents!
How pleased were you to see the squad fight right until the very end after a couple of setbacks throughout the game?
- I never doubted the lads’ fight right until the final whistle. I would never question their heart or application. They give me both in abundance. Last night felt like a reward for everything we’ve put in across the season. We’ve had moments of luck and moments where we’ve been unlucky, but this group doesn’t give in. We don’t throw the towel in.
What are your thoughts on our opposition for Saturday, Stalybridge Celtic and our previous meetings with them this season?
- I’m really looking forward to playing Bridge. They’re a club I have huge respect for, with a manager I admire a lot. Every game against them has been tough and I expect Saturday to be no different. We know we’ve got enough in our changing room to win, but like last night, play-off football can go either way. We’ll prepare properly and see what Saturday brings.
What are your personal thoughts and feelings to guide this club to the Play-Off Final and what promotion would mean to everyone at the club.
- Do I think promotion would be deserved? Yes. But we’ve earned nothing yet. Our league record counts for nothing now. Points, goals, form, all of that becomes irrelevant because we didn’t quite do enough to go up automatically. So now we have to earn it again in the final. Win or lose, there will be lessons for me and for the players. But the club operates in a way that deserves reward, and now we have one more 90 minute game to try and make that happen.
