Pontefract Collieries goalkeeper Craig Parry
Craig Parry believes team spirit has played a key role in Pontefract Collieries’ promotion to the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division.
Pontefract secured a top two spot with the 7-0 win at Lincoln Moorlands Railway – their eighth win out of nine difficult fixtures.
The run started after they lost top spot following the 1-0 defeat at AFC Emley in early March.
Experienced goalkeeper Parry admits that the loss was the catalyst in their sprint for the finish line.
“I’ve loved it here and it is my second season here,” said former Harrogate Railway and Goole stopper Parry.
“It is a really family club and everyone is together from the bottom to the top.
“Everyone is treated really well. The chairman and the committee have been magnificent as have the managers.
“Even when we have lost games everyone is still together and still go in the clubhouse after and has a pint with everyone else.
“And I’ll reiterate, the team spirit from top to bottom is the reason we were sat at Lincoln celebrating promotion.
“We have plenty of banter and Twitter is very lively. I think what started it off was the Emley when we went up there and lost 1-0.
“A lot of their staff put league tables on and were saying various things. It probably has worked to our benefit because a lot of the lads saw that.
“It is probably what drove us on and brought us closer together.”