Pitchero Non League

....first time in their history is second only to the birth of his children.

The Greenbacks came from nowhere at the start of the season to finish third and ultimately beat Beaconsfield SYCOB in the Division One Central play-off final 3-1 on Monday.

He said: “Bar the birth of my children Daisy and Evie, this is the most amazing thing that’s happened to me. It’s unbelievable. I’m overwhelmed.

“We put together a group of players that don’t come along very often.

“It wasn’t pretty in the final. It wasn’t a football spectacle but we won. We deserved to win and we got the job done.”

Farmer, 31, was a rookie at this level, as were most of his players, but he says the faith shown in him by chairman Pete Randle and the belief he in turned had in the team were the key to their shock success.

“You’ve got to put faith in people and give them opportunities. That’s why this has been such a nice story.

“The chairman took a punt on a manager who had never managed at the level before. The manager took a punt on a number of players who had never played at the level before.

“You don’t know if people can play at the level or manage at the level until you give them a chance.

“That’s the most pleasing thing about this. It could have worked. It could have failed.

“I always felt it would work. It’s probably a little bit earlier than what we expected but I’m just thrilled,” he said.

Bedworth had not finished in the top half for more than a decade, but they were among the early front runners and remained in the top five all season.

Former Nuneaton Griff manager Farmer says he was in no doubt the team could do it after their blistering start.

“When we won the first five games. That was it. I knew it was possible then.

“We realised there was nothing to fear. We played an expansive style.

“We scored the most goals any Bedworth team has ever scored. That’s not by luck - it’s because of how we play. We’ve worked hard at what we believe in.

“We’ve found the right balance. The budget was tight but we made a decision that we had to do the best with what we’ve got.

“We’ve found some gems and I’m sure there are many managers that want to sign our players.

“If we hadn’t gone up it would have been difficult to keep the group together. It might be a bit easier now.

“Everything came together perfectly. Not many people would have believed it.

“I felt we could achieve the play-offs this year but I also just felt this was our time maybe,” he said.

When asked how the team would do next season, when they will be one of the undoubted underdogs, Farmer said: “We’ll see. Let’s enjoy this first.”

The former Nuneaton Borough centre half was swift to thank partner Charlotte Ridgeway and assistant-manager Adam Cooper for their support all season.

“I love my Mrs and I love my kids. They’ve been so understanding.

“Behind every man there is a better woman and I’ve got that.

“Adam Cooper is unbelievable. He doesn’t want the attention and the glory.

“He came in at the start of October and is a great support system,” he said.

Tags: News | The Evo-Stik League Southern

• The Evo-Stik League Southern
• Premier Division
  • + Canaries Add Another Trio
  • + Boss Backs Injured Wells to Bounce Back
  • + Eagles Looking to Plug Big Goals Gap
  • + Two New Glassboys
  • + Hayes Makes Generals Move
  • + Poppies Sign Two From Trials Weekend
  • + King Keen on Smith
  • + Sherborne Blow for AFC Totton
• Division One Central
  • + Wells Encouraged by Performance
  • + Nuts & Bolts to Host International
  • + Stringer Still Fine Tuning
  • + Herbert Joins Valley Staff
• Division One South & West
  • + More Peacocks Cross Over to Bridgwater
  • + New Keeper Signs for Martyrs
  • + Tasker Handed Tivvy Chance
  • + Thompson`s Patience Pays Off
  • + Stanley Makes Crusaders Switch
  • + Cleeve Realise It`s Going to be Tough
  • + Ackling in to Help Bourne
  • + Rich Switch to Mangos