HARWICH and Parkeston vice-chairman Chris Smith believes the club can look forward to a bright future - and says its “bleak and disheartening” recent history is now a distant memory.

After a troubled period, the Shrimpers are now back in senior football, plying their trade in the Thurlow Nunn League.

They have made a solid start to the division one south campaign and attendances would suggest the public is firmly behind them, with nearly 300 turning up at the Royal Oak for their Tendring derby against Holland FC.

One of the main factors in their revival was Harwich’s decision to amalgamate with youth football outfit Dovercourt Vipers, in 2015.

Smith was chairman of the latter and said: “Folk here have always loved their football and it’s as though everyone has been waiting for the opportunity to watch top-quality football at the Oak again.

“That’s evident from the overwhelming support we’ve had at every match, along with the massive amount of kind responses to our social media and sponsorship deals.

“A lot of local businesses are now on board and we really appreciate their support, too.

“All the club’s players, from the six-year-olds to the seniors, now have the chance to write their own chapter in Harwich’s long and illustrious 141-year history and, for the younger ones, maybe a second appearance for the club at Wembley.

“Not many non-league clubs can boast that and while it may be a pipe dream, for the first time in a long while, we feel upbeat and confident about the future.

“I’d like to pay tribute to everyone who kept the club going through some very bleak and disheartening years but that’s now ancient history.

“Harwich have been a sleeping giant for too long but it’s clear the giant is wide awake again now.”

Smith became involved with the Vipers in 2007 when his eldest son, six at the time, played for them. He now plays for Harwich’s reserves.

In 2010 he and wife Sam took on the roles of chairman and secretary respectively and they are positions both now hold at Harwich and Parkeston Youth.

“We started with one team and then every year we added more teams up to our current nine,” he said.

“None of it would have been possible without the incredible support we’ve always had with everyone associated with the club.

“We’ve been blessed with great support from everyone and have a fantastic committee.

“In 2015, after a meeting with (Harwich chairman) Tony Armstrong, I was made vice-chairman of Harwich and Parkeston.

“We both agreed it would be a good idea to somehow try and incorporate the Vipers Youth into Harwich and Parkeston.

“What a wise decision that turned out to be.

“In 2017, we changed the name Vipers into Harwich and Parkeston Youth and thanks to the merger we now have a seamless transition from youth to senior football, with some outstanding local talent coming through the ranks.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with youth football but am on a very steep learning curve with senior football.

“Who better to learn from than Tony, though? Not only has he a wealth of experience in non-league football, he’s also one of the most popular people on the circuit.”

“I’ve heard nothing but praise for everything he’s done and continues to do for the club.”