Six years of struggle in National League North came to an end last April when a 5-1 thrashing at AFC Fylde saw the Brakes relegated to Southern Premier Central with two games to spare.
But after surging into the play-offs on a four-game unbeaten run and defeating Redditch in the semi-finals, Holleran’s side edged hot favourites AFC Telford 1-0 at a packed New Bucks Head to seal an instant return to the higher level.
“I’ve got mixed feelings about going back up,” admits Holleran, who recently celebrated 700 games at the helm.
“When I think back to last season, we spent a lot of time on the edge of our box. We battled away and battled away and it was all a bit of a grind.
“It’s very difficult as a manager or a coach in that situation because you set your team up the best you can, they play really well and still get beat. That’s just what happens in that league.
“At Step 3, when you do everything right, you do win games. It’s been really nice because we’ve had good runs, got the fans more engaged, there isn’t as much travelling. There are a lot of pluses to this level.
“But when all is said and done, you’d always rather play at Step 2 than Step 3. No question about it. Because for all the difficult times in the National League, we’ve also had some great periods where we’ve had winning runs, developed young players and created memorable moments.
Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I'M READY FOR A NEW PROJECT
LEAGUE One, League Two, National League John Coleman doesn't care. He just wants to manage a club with scope for 'doing an Accrington'.
BEARNE'S DOUBLE IS A PITMEN TRIUMPH
HEDNESFORD Town marched on as this tie was settled in the first 21 minutes with a glut of goals in favour of the Pitmen.
STAG-DO SPOILED BY LIAM DOUBLE
AFC Totton and Basingstoke played out an entertaining draw at The Snows Stadium.
FOALLE'S THERE AT DEATH TO STEA IT!
A GOAL with almost the last kick of the game from Jack Foalle saw Ashton's unbeaten start to the season go up in smoke at Hurst Cross after they had hit the post in each half.
TUDORS STAY TOP THANKS TO AJAYI!
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN secured a crucial victory over Slough Town that solidifies their position at the top of National League South.
MOLS ON ROLL AS NASH GO SECOND!
CURZON ASHTON moved up to second place after doing a job on former boss Adam Lakeland and his King's Lynn Town side at the Walks.
REAL DEAL HEED KEEP PILING ON THE POINTS
GATESHEAD scored early in each half to strengthen their position at the top of the table after they stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven games.
JOSH JOY DELIGHTS DAGGERS BOSS BEN
JOSH UMERAH marked his first league start for Dagenham & Redbridge by grabbing the goal that ensured a share of the spoils at Maidenhead.
DOGGED DALE WILL NOT BE MOVED!
ROCHDALE cruised to victory with a superb first-half performance which settled the age-old debate as Dale's immovable defensive object blunted Aldershot's previously irresistible attacking force.
SPITFIRES BACK IN THE GROOVE
EASTLEIGH bounced back from their last-gasp defeat at Gateshead last weekend as they edged past lowly Tamworth in a lackluster affair at the Silverlake.
