As Bedford Town prepare for their Awards Evening on Friday to celebrate their Pitching In Southern League Premier Central title success, Carl Mensah can reflect upon another job well done.
The 28 year-old has played his part in both of the club’s successive promotion campaigns.
“Before last year’s win in the play-offs, I hadn’t won promotion in any capacity,” he admitted to us. “So this is by far the most successful period I’ve had in my career and long may it continue!
“To go up via the play-offs last year and then win the League outright at the level above this year makes the achievement even more special.
“I am super proud to have been involved in both successes. To hear that final whistle in the last game to confirm us as champions was emotional. It really was overwhelming and it’s still sinking in actually what we have achieved to take the club from Step 4 to Step 2 so quickly.
“For me, the defining moment of our season was Kettering Town away. We mixed it against a top side who were clear favourites at the time and had just beaten Northampton Town in the FA Cup. We snatched a point at the death and, to be fair, it was the least we deserved given our performance on that occasion.
“But I think it gave us the belief we can compete against the best sides in the League and look up the table rather than down!”
Mensah had a brief taste of life at Step 2 earlier in the season when he joined Enfield Town, but he was soon back at The Eyrie.
“When the approach came from Enfield Town, I felt that I had to give Step 2 a go,” he said. “It didn’t work out how I envisioned for a variety of reasons, but I have no regrets; it was a good experience in the short time that I was there.
“Enfield Town are a good club and I am glad they stayed up at that level, but I wasn’t interested in going anywhere other than returning to Bedford Town once I made my mind up to leave the club.
“I was able to slot back in here and I am so grateful to everyone who was able to make that happen.
“The key to our success has been to simply run over teams and be relentless for 90 minutes. The Gaffer’s methods have worked perfectly for us in what is a notoriously tough League.
“You only have to look at the size of some of the clubs at this level. Arguably any of the teams in and around the play-off places could have won the title at points this season; the lead changed hands a few times.
“The fact that some clubs with big budgets didn’t even make the play-offs tells you everything really. It’s an unforgiving League and you will get punished on any given day if you are not at the races.
“Thankfully we were able to get the job done. Who knows what next season will bring, we’ll worry about that in July. For now, we’ll enjoy the summer before the Gaffer hides the balls for six weeks in pre-season!”
IMAGE: Bedford Town FC
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