Yes! Yes! Yes!

Daphne Griffith, NCISA

Going up-up-up! Yes we are! The biggest possible thank-you to all the players, fans and staff at our great football club. And thanks that exceed the bounds of possibility to our manager Paul Lambert.

The most persistent theme of my contributions to this column has been the management of our football club. Last season it was anger at the inability of our board to manage the crucial appointment of a team manager, leading to relegation from the Championship. This season it has been to appreciate the foresight of the board, including the chief executive, to appoint a man who can manage.

League One has been an interesting - and hopefully a one-off - experience. The supporters - except some from Leeds - have been friendly, some of the grounds are excellent, some of the pitches are beyond poor, some of the refereeing has been beyond belief! The most interesting thing I have noticed apart from our team's performance has been the quality of the managers.

Many have past experience at a higher level, others have the potential to get there. A quick look at the top of the table: Lambert, Grayson, Wilson, Clarke, Boothroyd, Pardew. The quality of managers such as these has raised the standard of play of some pretty ordinary players this season.

The game against Gillingham promises to be a great celebration - even if our manager in that tracksuit will be missing from the touchline. Let's hope we get at least the point needed to clinch the title, but I hope also we applaud the Gillingham team and their supporters whose great victory against Leeds last week help to confirm our promotion.

The local press has been asking how to celebrate our success this year. I love a party - and was there outside City Hall at the last one, when we went up into the Premiership. I think this time the success is very different and can't personally support the idea of an open-topped bus tour through the city.

I do recognise that supporters - particularly young supporters - who cannot get tickets for the last two home games should have an opportunity to have a bit of a knees-up. If the City Council is prepared for a civic reception with players at City Hall - well, I'll be there, but with feelings much closer to relief than the jubilation last time.