Having set out to achieve promotion to the North West Counties League Heys failed on both counts. Off the field the FA refused to endorse the Counties ground grading recommendation for promotion. However, even had they done so, Heys would still have failed to make the grade as they finished sixth in the Manchester League Premier Division table, outside the top five spot that was required.

However, delve a little deeper and the club can be more than satisfied with its work over the past year.

The work carried on off the pitch in building new dugouts, a stand and the magnificent new dressing rooms give Heys arguably the finest facilities the club has had in its history. With further development plans in hand in the coming months the club can be confident of meeting the ground grading next season when they look to reapply to the Counties.

Whilst the application may have failed this time round it did bring many benefits. A raising of the profile in the town itself, an increased social media profile and larger attendances in turn brought in new sponsorship opportunities for the club.

The work of the last twelve months has certainly strengthened the club and put it in a better position to move forward.

On the pitch it was a rollercoaster season. A slow start brought about only 13 points from the first 12 games. Indeed, when Heys travelled to Elton Vale in October they faced the prospect of slipping into the relegation places had they lost.

A 5-0 win brought about improved form but it was around the turn of the year that Heys really hit their stride with a dazzling run of 11 wins in 13 games, including seven on the trot catapulting them to the top of the table.

Having played more games than anyone it was always going to be an ask staying there but few could have predicted how Heys would come off the rails in the final weeks of the campaign with four defeats in five games scuppering their hopes.

Success in the Kenyon Cup, via a 3-1 win over Walshaw, brought some joy and the first silverware for eight years, before the final game of the season saw defeat at the hands of AFC Monton in the Atherton Charity Cup Final.

Any review of the year would not be complete without reflecting on the achievements of the Reserves who won their League in impressive style by 13 points. Losing only one game all season they were never outside out the top two with Jeff Kavanagh’ side unbeaten in their last 19 games. It was very much a team performance but mention must be made of Steve Charles who scored 29 goals including four hat-tricks.

So all told a season of progress if not quite the step forward that was hoped for. Thoughts are already on next season. Pre-season training is only four weeks away with Manager Jon Lyons looking to strengthen his squad whilst this week will see the pitch verti-drained, sand injected and disc seeded to reduce compaction and improve drainage.

Oh, and the pre-season friendlies will be announced in the next day or two….