Thornaby FC manager Bobby Coltman has urged the club’s supporters to turn out in force next Tuesday for a crucial Ebac Northern League Division Two play-off semi-final battle with Yarm & Eaglescliffe.
Having finished fifth in the league, a significant 20 points adrift of their opponents who were second to champions Horden, Thornaby head into the play-offs knowing they are the underdogs. However, Coltman, who took the reins at the club in January, has huge confidence in his squad after an end of season charge into the top five – and believes the backing of a strong travelling support can make all the difference.
The semi-final on Tuesday, April 29 will be held at Yarm’s home ground, Billingham Town’s Bedford Terrace, a venue where Thornaby enjoyed a 5-1 victory last month against Town. Coltman is hoping for a repeat of the atmosphere that night.
The Blues boss said: “We have a feel-good factor about going back there to Bedford Terrace because of that win last month. That was a big one for the fans and we were delighted to play so well for them that night.
“We had half the ground that night because we had a good following away from home. I have no doubt the fans will be out again to watch it, many will be Thornaby fans and we need it. It would be a huge help to see them out there with us again.
“It made a real difference for that Billingham game and this is a play-off semi-final we are heading into, so this will help us to focus. We are away from home, but it’s just as close to Thornaby as it is to Yarm.”
There are four strong teams in the play-off picture, which also includes Chester-le-Street United and Jarrow in the other semi-final. Jarrow have been outstanding all season, while Chester-le-Street United have been one of the most consistent sides in the last few months.
Coltman said: “There are four strong teams at this stage pushing for promotion, and we are one of them.
“We know it won’t be easy, nothing will be taken for granted, and we have to be focused on Tuesday before thinking about anything else.
“We will be underdogs because we finished well short on points; they have had better seasons than us, but we have to be focused on the task in hand. We have to give everything we have got.”
Thornaby managed to force their way into the play-off zone after months of threatening to and the squad has hugely impressed Coltman since his arrival earlier this year.
He said: “The players have been amazing and it took time for me to get to know their strengths. We have made mistakes because we were working with so many new people, getting to know each other, and that takes time.
“But they have supported us all the way through, finishing in the play-offs is the reward for their attitude and togetherness. It has been a rollercoaster, but the players have supported everything we have tried to bring to the club during a period of transition.”
Having achieved the main play-off goal this season, now all eyes are on whether Thornaby can seal a return to Northern League Division One next season.
Coltman said: “The reason we are in there is because we want to get promoted. There is only one team going up automatically, so we know we have to work hard to achieve something special.
“We are going in as the bottom team in that group of four, but I don’t think anyone in those play-off positions has beaten Thornaby this season, before and during my time.
“This is a Division One club and with the following we have, the ambitions here, we have to try to support the team and fulfil that. It is exciting times and we want to see how far we can go.
“Yarm are the top scorers in the league, had an extraordinary season, they have beaten teams week after week, but it is a long season, and we are more than capable of delivering. We have to keep pushing.
“We have got in at the last minute, nobody will fancy us looking from the outside, but it is an interesting cocktail because we haven’t been beaten by any team in those play-offs. It’s there, and we will have to be willing to give it everything if we want to be successful, but we know that anything is possible.”
*Thornaby head to Billingham to face Yarm & Eaglescliffe on Tuesday, April 29, kick-off 7.30pm
