It is a sign of the club’s ambition that Warrington Town will be disappointed with how their season has gone.
They are well-established in mid-table in the Evo-Stik Premier League, tier 7 of the English football pyramid, which is the highest level that the Yellows have ever played.
But there were perhaps expectations that they may have followed the path set out before them by the likes of AFC Fylde, Chorley, Curzon Ashton, Darlington and Salford City, all of whom have secured successive promotions from tier 8 and made the next step up to National League North.
That eventuality is of course still mathematically possible for the Yellows, with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Halesowen Town keeping them in touching distance of the play-off places, but even the most ardent of fans would admit it looks very much like an outside chance right now.
It is maybe the naivety and inexperience at this level which has resulted in a topsy-turvy season that saw the departures of Stuart Mellish and Lee Smith before Christmas after an indifferent start.
To be fair, their appointment in the first place came in odd circumstances, as Shaun Reid parted company with the club while it romped to the Evo-Stik First Division North title, somewhat aided by the internal combustion at Northwich Victoria, whose off-field troubles have continued this term.
That maybe didn’t lay the correct platform for the continuation that has seen the likes of Darlington and co continue their upward momentum.
Indeed, Saturday’s line-up included just two players who featured in last season’s title-winning campaign – new captain James McCarten and Danny Ventre.
As is often the case in non-league, a new manager has meant wholesale changes.
Paul Carden has taken a bit of a gamble in dropping the leagues from Tranmere to take charge at Cantilever Park, and the changes he’s made since would suggest that he is confident in his ability to get results next season.
There has been criticism of the apparent open-door policy at Cantilever Park in recent months, though with the increasingly professional regime, increased training commitments and higher standards demanded by the new manager, some have found it too tough to work with.
For all the departures there have been, all but one are plying their trade in the league below, where the much lower amount of travelling is favourable.
It has seen a change in focus, with younger and hungrier players being brought in.
It’s seen fan favourites like Karl Wills and Scott Metcalfe go out the door, but they will always have their own special place in the club’s history.
But as Carden and the Yellows look to climb the leagues, there’s no room for sentiment.
They are in action again tonight, when they travel to high-flying Stourbridge.
