The Mariners have been held back by a combination of Covid and play-off heartache in recent years but Monday's 1-0 victory at Whitby Town was enough to take Kevin Phillips' men to the NPL Premier title at the fourth time of asking.
Joyous scenes at both Whitby's Turnbull Ground and back at the Mariners' 1st Cloud Arena home were played out as the north-east club rejoiced in securing a place in Non-League's second tier for the first time in their history.
The nightmare of two playoff defeats against Warrington Town and the two seasons curtailed by the impact of Covid-19 have plagued the Mariners since tentered Step 3 after going up through the NPL Division One North play-offs in 2018-19.
"I am just relieved that we have finally got there and got into the National League North," said charman Thompson, relieved and delighted in equal measure.
This story is from the April 16, 2023 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
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This story is from the April 16, 2023 edition of The Non-League Football Paper.
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