TAUNTON Town Football Club were celebrating after wrapping up the Evo-Stik South West title – with five games to spare – in April 2018.

A crowd of 599 were at the Viridor Stadium to watch the Peacocks overcome visiting Evesham United 1-0, with Josh Nelmes heading home the only goal.

The victory, combined with a home defeat for nearest challengers Salisbury, opened up an unassailable 20-point lead at the top with just five matches to play.

The result also meant the Peacocks were 29 games unbeaten.

Somerset County Gazette: The back page of the County Gazette on April 12, 2018.The back page of the County Gazette on April 12, 2018. (Image: Tim Norbury/Archive)

After the match, Town manager Leigh Robinson said: “It’s all happened so quickly to be honest, with the Monday game going in our favour and then Salisbury losing – I had a feeling about today.

“We spoke beforehand about wanting to get it done in front of our own fans, and it’s nicer to do it on a Saturday so it’s great timing.

“We were disappointed last year not to go up but the lads have picked themselves up and the desire to keep going Saturday, Tuesday after Saturday, Tuesday has been the same throughout the season.”

Somerset County Gazette: Celebrations on the terraces.Celebrations on the terraces. (Image: Tim Norbury/Archive)

Robinson added: “The boys will celebrate long and hard, and rightly so, and so will the people that run the club, but football moves so fast so as a manager I have no time to celebrate.”

The successful campaign saw Taunton promoted to the Southern League Premier Division for the 2018/19 campaign.

Robinson added: “It’s all about building for next year and making sure we’re as strong as possible come August and September – it’s my duty to the club to do that.”

The Peacocks achieved another promotion in 2022, elevating them to the National League South, where they are currently fighting to avoid relegation.

Reported by Paul Martin.