Brindley proud as Rangers survive
Stafford manager Chris Brindley is proud and in reflective mood after the team's escape from relegation was confirmed with a game to spare.
Despite twice letting a lead slip to only come away with a point from their trip to Fleetwood, Rangers were saved as Hyde slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Redditch in heartbreaking fashion - a goal in stoppage time.
That confirmed the Tigers' relegation along with Burscough and rock-bottom Hucknall and, with all the relegation places filled, the team can now relax and enjoy the final game of the season on Saturday.
Hinckley come to Marston Road with neither side playing for anything but pride.
It drew a line under what has been a troubled season for the club but at least they will tread water where they are and, as a Blue Square North club for 2009/10, they will be hoping the only way is up.
Brindley can even look forward to the prospect of ending the season with some silverware, as his side take on Unibond League outfit Kidsgrove on Wednesday night at Vale Park in the Staffordshire Senior Cup final.
But the manager already has cause to be proud.
He said: "I'm proud of keeping the club up, it's been difficult. There have been disappointments, a few dark nights wondering whether we'd do it and we've had some beatings.
"But we've kept going and helped the club financially, saved a bit of money and more importantly kept ourselves in this league.
"It's important to stay as high in the pyramid as you can. It could have been a long way back.
"There have been a lot of circumstances people don't see and it's been tough, but you have to go on and learn from it and become better."
