I wasn’t at all emotional (whey, I allowed myself a fist pump in the kitchen) until I saw your post there
You’re right though, it’s been a long road back and we’ve all endured some pretty difficult days following the lads since the demotion - some of the members on here far more than others (myself included) of course. Even on here, plenty of tempers have been frayed by passionate Durhamites who’s only concern was always for the betterment of the club and the county but of course with their own opinions on how best to achieve it.
I think looking back at the bigger picture to 2016, there were some genuine concerns that we wouldn’t even have a club to support let alone to argue over. For the team to get us back to where we belong this season is a testament to those behind the scenes who have rebuilt us back to the top table from the brink of oblivion. I would add too that every single player, coach and staff member in those intervening years should also be recognised and remembered in their own way, no matter how small. Even those who we may not have been sad to see the back of will have made positive contributions towards what we’re enjoying today.
That it was Matt Salisbury who should be the wicket to fall that confirmed our promotion is more than a tad poetic - it isn’t quite Martin Saggers in 2008, but it will still take its place in the growing history of our fantastic First Class county. Hopefully in the very near future we will be able to write further new chapters so that the events of 2016 will be reduced to a mere footnote and a point to which we can share a good laugh at.
Steve Harmison said on the latest episode of Talksport’s cricket podcast that we’d have given Surrey a run for their money this year, he’s been saying it for most of the season in fairness, but there’s definitely truth in the notion that we’ve simply been on another level this year in the Championship. Not a single team has been able to go punch for punch with us and there is so much reason for optimism for next season off the back of what we’ve achieved this year. I’m not so sure we can immediately compete for the top honours like Harmy suggests, but I know for a fact the club will be targeting exactly that - North, Bostock and Campbell all said last week that they’re excited about what we’re building and there’s no question that we’ll already have put some of the teams in Division One on notice.
They should be taking notice, in fact, they should be afraid, because The Big Blue Machine is coming for them
The future is bright lads and lasses.
HWTFL!!
