Melksham Town have clinched an historic first ever Western League title.
A 2-1 win at Willand Rovers on Saturday, in front of a large contingent of ecstatic travelling fans, secured the title for the first time in the club’s 139 year history.
Manager Darren Perrin called it an “unbelievable achievement. To win the Western League playing all local lads and competing against teams with vastly bigger budgets is just extraordinary. It’s like Burnley winning the Premier League.”
First half goals from Sean Benison and Gary Higdon set Town on their way before Willand pulled a goal back midway through the second half to set up a nerve-jangling finale, but Town hung on to secure the win which sealed the Toolstation Premier League crown.
“To lead my home-town club to the Western League Premier Division title for the first time ever is just unreal,” said manager Darren Perrin. “Without a doubt it’s my greatest moment in football.
“I’ve had some fantastic times with Frome, Chippenham, Paulton and Forest Green but today was just unbelievable.
“We were absolutely magnificent in the first half and at half-time it was a travesty because we should have been five or six-nil up – we hit the woodwork three times.
“But after Willand pulled a goal back, to be fair, we were hanging on a bit but we deserved the win.
“I’m so happy for everyone connected with the club. I’m delighted for the 150 or so Town supporters that made the trip to Willand in Devon and I’m delighted for the players, who have been magnificent all season.”
The league win was bittersweet, though, as Town have been denied a chance to play in the Southern League for the first time in their history because of a Wiltshire Council delay over a move to their new ground.
But not even that could take the shine off the title win for manager Darren Perrin.
“I’m a Melksham lad and to lead my home town club to its best ever finish in 139 years, well, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
Darren took over as manager last season when Town were bottom of the league and has transformed the team in little more than 18 months.
“This isn’t about me, it’s about the players,” he said, “I’m immensely proud of every one of them. They’re all local lads, playing for their local club, not for the money, but the love of playing the game.
“They’ve given me 100% every week and their record is magnificent; they are worthy champions. And they’ve had to do it the hard way playing their last eight games away from the Conigre.
“I’m gutted for the players that they won’t get to play in the Southern League. They deserve the chance, but we’ll be back next season to give it another go.
“I’m amazingly proud for the chairman, too, and everyone else at the club who has done an absolutely fantastic job. The whole town should pay tribute to the job they have done.
“And I’d like to say a word for people like my dad (Mick Perrin), Dave Phillips and the late Jack Goodenough and Eric Missen who did a tremendous job for many years keeping this club going. Without them, this club would not be here.”
The Town’s reserves made it a day to remember running out comprehensive 3-0 victors over Ludgershall in the Corsham Print Senior Cup Final thanks to goals from Emilio Menghini, Nick Ridout and Ash Barnett.
First team captain, Dave Thompson said, “It’s a fantastic achievement. We’ve had no budget but all the lads work for each other and just want to play for their home town club.
“We were under massive pressure for the last half-hour when they pulled a goal back and the last five minutes were the most nerve-wracking of my life.
“The lads have been magnificent all season but especially over the last few weeks when we’ve had to play our last eight games away from home. They have been eight massive ‘cup finals’ and to come out of those games unbeaten – including games against Buckland who finished runners-up and a local derby at Bradford – is a huge testament to the players. There was just a fantastic team spirit.
“We’re bitterly disappointed that we won’t get the chance to play in the Southern League but we’ll be back next season to give it another go.”
Club chairman, Dave Wiltshire said, “What a day and what a season it’s been. Absolutely tremendous. Quite incredible for the first team to clinch the league and the Reserves to win the Corsham Print Senior Cup on the same day. I think I’m going to wake up any second.
“It’s a fantastic achievement from all the players and everyone involved in the club I couldn’t be more proud, particularly as all the players are local lads and we’ve done it with virtually no budget. It’s been an unbelievable day, an unbelievable season. Now we’ve got to build on this success and hopefully, we can get the town behind us.”
Club life president Dave Phillips, who has spent over 50 years supporting the club said, “It’s the best day of my life. Quite incredible. To see Town win the Western League after all these years is just unbelievable.
“I’ve travelled many, many miles watching Town and there have been a lot of highs and lows, but this was something special. The team were absolutely magnificent, as they have been all season. What a day!”
