On Sunday the Lowestoft Town Ladies clinched promotion for a third time in four seasons and this will see the team next season playing in the Women's Premier League, which is step two within the women's pyramid. A truly, truly amazing achievement and to have done it with seven games to spare makes it all the more remarkable.

The win was achieved courtesy of a narrow but totally deserved 1-0 win against Billericay who are in a good position to secure second place. The goal came just before half time when a great through from Paige Shorten found Hannah Waters who deftly lobbed the advancing keeper. Second half saw Lowestoft enjoyed the bulk of possession but finding the second goal proved difficult and in the end the team were happy taking the solitary goal win and the all important three points.

The other remarkable achievement is that this has been achieved with such a young team with the oldest player being only twenty-three years of age and the average age of the team being only nineteen and a half and they have the potential to improve significantly.

There is of course the very important matter of a cup final still to come on Sunday 10th May against Royston when the team will try to claim a league and cup double.

In achieving what we have this season it is important to remember everyone whose contribution has helped in securing the teams promotion.

Firstly to all of the wonderful fans who have supported the team this season, particularly in making the long journeys to support the team in their away matches. The support at Millwall and London Corinthians was truly amazing and will always be remembered, as will all of the fans who turned out to cheer the team on in claiming an heroic win in the second round of the FA Cup over Luton Town in front of the players from the cup winning team of 1982. Thank you.

Secondly to all of our wonderfully kind, generous and loyal sponsors; Brian and Alan from "World of Fish" who have supported the team from day one, John Waters who has also shown incredible generosity to the team and more recently, Jonathan Hunn from "Your Mortgage Solutions". We are very lucky to have all of you and we all very much appreciate your wonderful support of the team.

To Terry Lynes who really does an exceptional job as club secretary and helps make my life so much easier. To Terry Bullen who is without doubt one of the most committed volunteers within the club and does so much for all the teams; a real hero.

To David Page who has quite simply at times this season performed heroics in getting the pitch fit for us to play after all the rain we've endured this winter. Also a big thanks to George Neeve who does a sterling job and nothing is ever too much trouble....a really top guy. To those dedicated volunteers who work on the turnstile, bar and kitchen. You really are the unsung hero's of the club. To Michelle who does all the team admin work, washes the kit and helps with driving the mini bus. Also a big thanks to both Brad and Dan for all your help this season; you have both done so well.

Also last but not least, words cannot do justice to the support we have received from our wonderful chairman Gary Keyzor, whose idea it was to start a ladies team almost four years ago and to whom I will be indebted for bringing me to this great club and providing me with the happiest and most successful times in my fourteen years of football management. A truly inspirational figure and we all know how lucky we are to have him at LTFC as he works tirelessly to progress the club every season and this promotion whilst it is for everyone to savour and enjoy, is our way of thanking you for quite simply...everything!

Also a little mention for Mick Chapman who has always been available for advice and support and given up his valuable time to come and cheer the team on several occasions. It meant an awful lot to have both you and your wife there on Sunday. Many of the things you and Ady Gallagher say to the first team on a Saturday form an integral part of the way I encourage the team to try and get them to give of their best each week and it’s been great to have the opportunity to tap into your wealth of knowledge and experience.

So and finally, to the players; you have covered yourselves in glory this season and it has not sunk in fully the magnitude of what you have achieved. Many teams locally have tried to gain promotion from this league and all but one have failed and in the process nearly all have subsequently crumbled as the commitment and dedication needed to succeed at this level places a big demand on each and every player. You have embraced every challenge presented to you and taken the team to a level not seen before. Some of your football this season has been breath taking and of a standard which would be difficult to compete against at the next level we will be playing at. There are bigger challenges ahead with bigger prizes but you should all believe you can do well at the next level, if we all remember it’s about the team and not about individuals.
Let’s finish the campaign in the same way we have gone about things all season. There is still potentially twenty-one points to be won and lessons we can adopt now in preparation for next season!!

Thanks again

David Eastwood