TONY BATES: "IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD"

Club Chairman Tony Bates spoke with atfc.org.uk last night and shared his feelings following Sunday's disappointment in the Play Off Final at Park Avenue:

"All of us in the Club are equally devastated by Sunday's result in the Play Off Final, and the loss of a place in the UEFA Europa League and the concomitant £140,000 qualifying prize. Unfortunately nothing we can do now can bring back that lost opportunity, and as a Club we congratulate Newtown on their win and wish them all the best in Europe. We all felt very low on Sunday and Monday when everything seemed black. 

However, it is not the end of the world. I am pleased to say that the brief mourning period is over and we are already excited by the prospect of planning for next season. 

We must not forget that on the field we had our most successful season for six years, which has significantly improved the Club's prestige throughout Wales. The Players made a tremendous effort over a 51 week season, taking the Club into the Top Six for the first time ever, and were inches away from an unforgettable climax. We have one of the best young Managers in Wales at the helm and despite Sunday's result, we are very definitely on an upward trajectory and looking forward to bigger and better things next season.

The 3G Development at the Club, which we hope to be rubber stamped in the near future, will also be a game changer for Aberystwyth Town meaning that we will have so many more opportunities to develop the Club as a business this time next year.

It is fantastic to know that having had two four figure crowds, last season over 9,600 people watched First Team games at Park Avenue, meaning our overall average attendance was up to 458. This shows that our supporters have great belief on what we are trying to do on and off the field. 

To our supporters we say thank you for your excellent contribution through out 2014/5 - we look forward to meeting you again on next season's journey in a couple of months. It can't come soon enough!"

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