After last night’s publication in the evening edition of the Express & Star, the club has released a copy of the article on the website. The article said:

Darlaston Town (1874) boss Andy Parkes believe his newly-promoted side silenced the doubters during their most recent campaign.

Having gained promotion from West Midlands Division One the previous year, the Citizens sat eighth in the Premier Division before the coronavirus crisis cancelled the season.

Parkes was delighted by his team's show of metal and the way his players never lost sight of their attacking principles.

“I was pleased with the way we adapted”, he said. “The lads gave a really good account of themselves and we earned respect off other teams in the league.”

“Application was key. We had a really good pre-season. The work ethic of the group and their mentality was spot on.”

“But not only that, I was really pleased with the standard of our football. We played some really good stuff at times.”

“We didn't lose our way. Passing and moving the ball is what we are about. Of course, a result is always the most important thing, but we will always try and win the right way.”

The Darlaston manager knows football is ultimately a results business but is forever emphasising the importance of adopting an attractive style of play.

“We want to ensure our fans enjoy it, he said they are massive for us. Some home games you have up to 200 people come to watch.”

“At this level and for a club of our size it's great. I think a key reason is that we are easy on the eye with the passing game we play.”

“Fans can come to watch us, knowing that win, lose or draw they are going to be entertained.”

Town fans were most definitely entertained during August's 4-0 home victory over Black Country Rangers, which Parkes cites as his side's outstanding performance of the season.

“Yeah, the Black Country game was very pleasing for us.” He said “4-0 was a very pleasing result because no one saw it coming.”

“It came at the beginning of the season when people were writing us off. No one was expecting us to. Come up with a result like that.”

Parkes was pleased with his sides exploits but is challenge them to ramp up their levels again when football resumes.

“Our ambition was always to finish in the top eight”, he said. “It was always going to be a big step up, but we were confident”.

“The team we put together performed very well and we were looking forward to finishing the season strong.”

“But now we look towards next season we want. To keep progressing and we have to be looking to go one better.”