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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CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
