Darran Hay is looking to move Hitchin Town forward next season and will not want a repeat of the events of 2007-08. Speaking after his team had secured its place at BGB Premier level for next season, Hay sees this season s revival as the just the start of

Darran Hay is looking to move Hitchin Town forward next season and will not want a repeat of the events of 2007-08.

Speaking after his team had secured its place at BGB Premier level for next season, Hay sees this season's revival as the just the start of things at Top Field.

"It's been a great relief to stay up and the players, fans and officials of the club have all played their part, but I am ambitious and want to build on things and have a real stab at the upper reaches of the table."

Hay felt the recent win against Bashley was the decisive result, given the fixtures remaining among the other strugglers.

"We clinched it last week, but it would have been nice to win against Merthyr. But we have no complaints about the result."

Hay's team have turned in some impressive performances in recent weeks and had lost once in 10 games before the Merthyr game.

"We've played some good stuff and the crowd have really appreciated what we have been trying to do. With some new faces, we can have a really good season in 2008-09."

And Hay wants to go out with a bang at Corby this Saturday.

"We want to finish off with a win and put on a bit of a show," he insisted.

Chairman Terry Barratt has paid tribute to Hay's determination when results were going against Hitchin in January and February.

"Darran has done a great job and battled his way through what was a real crisis for us. It would have been easier to give up, but he didn't."

Barratt also underlined the role played by local man Hay in raising spirits at the club.

"Darran has changed the whole mood of the place, uniting players, officials and fans.

"It's been an intoxicating experience and we have to build on this as we move forward once more."

So enthused have local football fans been that crowds have increased at Hitchin this season, showing an increase of five per cent, despite much of the campaign being a depressing one.

But the final run-in, during which the Canaries needed points to survive, captured the imagination of the Hitchin public and crowds against King's Lynn, Banbury, Bashley and finally Merthyr Tydfil all exceeded expectations.