Deacey: No shame in relegation

Farsley Celtic manager John Deacey is adamant that his side have a lot to be proud of despite their relegation from the Blue Square Premier.

Although Celtic were widely expected to go straight back down to Blue Square North, the manner in which they went about their campaign has earned them many admirers.

Their fate was only decided during the final week of the season, much later than their detractors expected.

When relegation did come there were a number of mitigating factors such as the departure of key midfielder Craig Bentham, who returned to Bradford City, and an injury crisis that reduced the squad to the barest of bones.

Deacey told the Yorkshire Evening post: "It's still hurting - it's killing me to be fair - but you have to put it into context which is what I have done.

"You have to consider where we have come from and what we have tried to do.

"We have tried to battle against every team in the league, all of which are bigger and have more history than Farsley Celtic.

"We tried to fight right until the very end and at the last we just fell short in vital areas. But as long as we have learnt from what we have done, and if we can move forward from it, that's the positive at the moment.

"The club are looking to bounce back next season and have another go at it and there is no reason why we can't if we can keep the nucleus of the squad together.

"And we do go out with our heads held high. The board, the supporters and the players haven't disgraced themselves. I think we have all done very well to be honest."