Akrigg: 'Today was a win for all involved'

Steve Akrigg hailed Widnes' win over Ashton Athletic as a win for all involved at the club as Jack Banister's eighth minute strike sealed the Whites' promotion to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One West.

Banister drove home what proved to be the winner to secure back-to-back promotions, and speaking after the game, co-boss Akrigg confessed that he was delighted to achieve what seemed so far away.

"I'm absolutely delighted," Akrigg beamed.

"I'm delighted for everyone. The chairman, for obviously giving us the chance, the coaching staff who have worked so hard and the players who deserve a massive round of applause for handling the occasion today.

"I asked the lads to keep it clean once we took the lead and minus one really good save from Richie (Mottram) in the second half, I don't think that they've troubled us.

"Both games this weekend have been played in difficult conditions. We've had to work for the wins and I think that we've dealt with the two games tremendously well.

"A nice clean sheet and a 1-0 win is a great round way to round off the league season, deservedly finishing second."

Widnes became the first North West Counties side to achieve back-to-back promotions since AFC Fylde in 2009.

Akrigg admitted that the achievement is amongst his proudest in football.

He said: "It's an amazing achievement for the club. From where it's come from, playing in the West Cheshire League to playing in the Evo-Stik next season is unbelievable.

"It'll be a new experience for everyone. Some of the lads have been there before and we'll certainly do our best to have a really good go at it.

"It's probably the best achievement in my career in terms of where we were in November to standing here promoted today. Nobody would have predicted what we've achieved. We've punched above our own expectations.

"To actually get promoted is brilliant for everyone involved from the management team, to the players, the supporters who have come out. It's been tremendous."

Akrigg is part of a Widnes contingent heading to Benidorm this week for an end-of-season break, but the co-boss insists that his side will be prepared for next week's Macron Cup Final against Burscough.

"The lads will enjoy this today, have a couple days rest and then we'll be back in training at the weekend preparing for Burscough," Akrigg said.

"We know a lot about Burscough. We know quite a few of the players and again, we'll go into that game targeting a win just like we have in every other game this season."

Updated 19:55 - 30 Aug 2019 by Callum Chadwick