The same can be said for supporters of the Staffordshire club who have seen their favourites repeatedly fall short of a return to the Northern Premier League’s top flight since they were relegated in 2008.
That is until last Monday, when a 2-1 victory at Newcastle Town sealed promotion from the West Division.
“We intend to savour the moment,” the Blues’ skipper told The NLP. “Of course, I’m happy. But the primary emotion is relief.”
The midfielder signed for Leek from neighbours Kidsgrove seven years ago, and has been part of a side that has contested the play-offs three times – reaching the final in 2019.
The past two attempts ended after home defeats against Runcorn Linnets at the semi-finals stage.
Leek also occupied top spot in the then NPL South East Division, winning 23 of the 28 games they played, when the FA decided to curtail, then declare null and void, the 2019-20 term because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Teammates Olly Harrison, Rob Stevenson, Dan Trickett-Smith and Tim Grice were there with him at Harrison Park through it all.
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