Blackstones are celebrating promotion to United Counties League Premier Division North
Joint manager Jon Harrison feels Blackstones are back where they belong after returning to step five of the non-league pyramid for the first time in more than a decade.
The Stamford side will be back playing in the Premier Division North of the United Counties League next season after victory in their play-off final on Saturday.
They were 3-2 away winners at Retford FC to cap another successful season of progress under Harrison and co-boss Ryan Wood.
The duo took over after a fine spell at Peterborough League side Netherton United with Stones only having escaped relegation from step six due to a reprieve.
They twice missed out on the play-off spots as their league positions improved each season before clinching promotion on Saturday in a memorable moment for the club.
Harrison said: "You just can't describe the feeling at the moment.
"Nothing comes close to it because we're such a little niche club.
"It was in the doldrums when we took over and, after we stepped up a level, you do find that money talks and we couldn't compete with that.
"We had to set our minds up nice and early about how we were going to do things.
"We wanted to stablise the club in the first season and give it its heart back.
"We finished in a respectable position in the league and gave the supporters some days to remember in the FA Vase.
"It was then about how we could improve again so we set up the Under 18s to hopefully get to a point where they would be good enough in the second year to kick on.
"It was exactly what happened and the plan came off.
"It was a bit brave of myself and Ryan but we sat at the interview for the job where we were asked about where we saw the club going.
"I said that I wanted promotion within three years and, although I'm not sure how much they believed us, it probably sounded like the wildest dream.
"We have got there though and, when that final whistle went on Saturday, everyone ran over.
"The chairman and some of the fans were in tears and club officials, who had seen all the ups and downs in recent years, were just in the centre circle taking it all in.
"It meant so much to everyone involved at the club, especially the chairman Gary Peace who has always supported and backed us.”
Stones had to overcome a nervy start to Saturday's final against a Retford side who finished in second spot in the table.
In front of a crowd of 975, it was the home side who took an eighth minute lead through Aaron Sennett-Neilson.
However, Stones settled down and the equaliser late in the first half gave them belief.
Will Bestwick was upended after a strong run and picked himself up to convert the resultant penalty.
A flowing move after the break then saw Stones seize the initiative as Johan Coughlan's effort was deflected home by a Retford player.
Bestwick then added his second and Stones' third with 19 minutes remaining before the visitors were forced to fend off a late Retford fightback.
Cameron Harris had earlier made a crucial goalline clearance with the game finely poised while goalkeeper Max Peverell produced some fine saves, including one stand-out fingertip stop.
Although Ainsley Finney cut the arrears with six minutes remaining, Stones stood strong under a late barrage of pressure with their young guns again stepping up to the mark.
With Eddie Thorpe being forced off due to injury, 17-year-old defender Will Hughes was thrust into the action alongside fellow youth teamers Coughlan, Logan Robinson and Keane Miller.
Although the latter was red-carded deep into injury-time after collecting his second caution, Stones saw out the game for a memorable win.
Harrison added: "All of the players have shown a real togetherness and they really fought for each other.
"It was a victory for football against brawn because we really stood up to everything and, to have so many youngsters on the pitch at the end, showed what the club is all about.
"It was just beautiful at the final whistle with the players' emotions and the celebrations afterwards.
"The club is now back where it belongs and we've just see where it takes us because there is a bright future ahead for the club."
There could be further celebrations for Blackstones on Thursday night as their Under 18s need a point from their game at Kettering Town to be crowned Northants Youth League North Division champions.
