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.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ENSIGN TEEN IS TAYLOR MADE!
WHITE Ensign boss Aaron Bloxham has hailed teenage talent Taylor Jacobi after his stoppage-time winner created history.
RAMADAN A RHYTHM IS BACK IN AT BLUES!
CEMAL RAMADAN reckons Bury Town have got back into their rhythm- but knows the Isthmian North title race is going to be a long haul.
DECRUZ IS SINGING THE BLUES FOR DREAM TIE
MERSTHAM manager Jamie Decruz says it would be \"crazy\" not to stage his side's glamour FA Youth Cup tie with Chelsea anywhere other than Stamford Bridge.
GLASSBOYS'JORDAAN IS A SCROOGE FOR BUCKS!
STOURBRIDGE snatched a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to seal a share of the points following a pulsating contest with promotion rivals Telford.
CLINICAL CALLUM HITS THE BULLSEYE
DARTFORD their D place in the play-off places as a 79th-minute goal from Callum Jones gave Adrian Pennock's side all three points.
ARDLEY'S OFF TO A WINNER!
NEAL Ardley got off to a winning start as Woking boss with victory over play-off chasing Altrincham and then admitted the Robins have set the mantra he would like the Cards to follow.
MADINE'S A MARVEL AT POOLS
GARY Madine's third goal in a Hartlepool United shirt fired his team to within two points of the National League play-offs after a dramatic victory over Yeovil Town.
BEES RATTLED BY TOP TOWN
BARNET slipped behind York City at the top of the National League after they were held to a draw by FC Halifax Town - a result thoroughly deserved by the Shaymen who battled for the whole game and gave the Bees barely a sight of goal.
Rovers denied by resilient Shots
DISAPPOINTED Steve Cotterill believes that his side had enough chances to beat Aldershot Town after dropping two points in their title quest.
KEEPER JOS REVELS AS GOAL HERO
IF you think goalkeepers never score, you must be Bark-ing mad.
