CAERNARFON Town have finally realised a long-term goal in earning promotion to the JD Welsh Premier League.

The Canaries have been the standout team in the Huws Gray Alliance this term and their efforts have been rewarded with another tilt at the top flight, which is a testament to how far the club has come both on-and-off the pitch in such a short space of time.

Although they were one of the more fancied sides heading into the campaign, the loss of manager Iwan Williams in November threatened to derail them when he departed for Llandudno, but credit the Cofis’ board for moving quickly to replace him and keep the stable structure that has been the catalyst behind their success.

Sean Eardley was given the responsibility of leading the club back to the promised land, and the rookie boss did not disappoint in a stunning run of form which saw them lift the championship in convincing fashion.

A hugely enthusiastic character with a big personality, Eardley is a respected and loved figure within the dressing room who the players took too immediately, and he has harnessed a determined team spirit within the set-up that has seen them through some difficult periods of the season with valuable points.

This was particularly evident in their come-from-behind draws at Airbus Broughton and Denbigh Town, where they displayed the sort of resolve you normally associate with championship winning sides and this is sure to stand them in good stead for the great challenge that lies ahead of them next season.

While team spirit is one thing, the Canaries have had a host of standout performers that deserve to be playing at a higher level, with the legendary duo of Darren Thomas and skipper Nathan Craig showing their class on a consistent basis throughout.

The resolute rearguard consisting of goalkeeper Alex Ramsay, Gareth Edwards, Clive Williams and Rhys Roberts have been hugely impressive, while tireless full-back Joe Williams is another that can be very proud of the level of performance he has managed to put in during almost every fixture.

Exciting young talent Danny Brookwell is another that is set to thrive in the top flight after a memorable campaign, and his chemistry with Jamie Breese and Thomas is sure to give plenty of WPL defences nightmares in the months to come.

The energetic Gareth Evans has provided a great deal of experience to the midfield engine room which was vital, while new addition Jamie Crowther was a powerful presence all over the park form Eardley’s men during the second half of the campaign.

How they will get on when they come up against higher quality opposition who will punish almost every mistake is unclear, but with the loss of Bangor City from the league their presence is more welcome than ever thanks to the club’s outstanding support that will take huge numbers wherever they go.

Nobody can argue that the Cofis are going to be a great addition to the top of the Welsh pyramid, and it will be up to management and players to come together once again and prove they belong with the elite.