Going oop North!

Needing only a point at Bideford to secure their elevation to the Conference North, Richard Batchelor’s 83rd-minute winner kicked off the celebrations for Brakes’ 250-strong travelling army.

A 3-2 win over long-time title rivals Hemel on Tuesday night maintained the feel-good factor and the revelry looks set to continue long after the championship shield is presented at home to St Albans tomorrow.

And after learning his trade at the likes of Solihull Borough, Halesowen Town and Rushall Olympic, manager Paul Holleran is determined to savour every moment.

“From a personal point of view it’s a fantastic feeling,” said Holleran. “I’ve been strutting my stuff since the Interlink days with Kings Norton and I’ve done okay.

“But every club I’ve been with have either been striving to get in the Southern League or in the Southern League striving to get out.

“To eventually achieve it is a great feeling.

“Since Saturday the whole place has been buzzing and I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

St Albans visit The New Windmill tomorrow with little to play for having missed out on a tilt at the play-offs.

However, despite the expected party atmosphere, Holleran is calling on his side to remain professional and sign off on a high.

“It’s not very often you get a free week in football and the chance to play without any shackles,” he said.

“We’ll go out and enjoy it with a smile on our face.

“But we’ll still do things properly and we still want to win the game.”

 With a season-high attendance anticipated for tomorrow’s game, the club are asking supporters to help with travel and parking by using the free Park N Ride bus service, car-sharing or using the Brakes Trust minibus service.

For details of bus times, log on to www.leamingtonfc.co.uk or www.brakestrust.com