Kevin Nancekivell: It means the world to everybody at Plymouth Argyle
Kevin Nancekivell was full of praise for the way Plymouth Argyle's players handled the huge pressure as they produced a stirring performance to clinch Championship safety.
The Pilgrims' long-time first team coach admitted he was 'really emotional, really proud' after the season-ending 1-0 victory over Hull City at a jubilant Home Park.
Birmingham City's 1-0 home win against Norwich City meant Argyle had to win to stay up, and they did just that after a 40th minute goal from 'Captain Fantastic' Joe Edwards.
Read More: Argyle secure Championship survival with Joe Edwards winner
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The tension was almost unbearable towards the end of the second half, with the Pilgrims knowing that one late slip could see them drop down into League One, but they held onto their precious lead until full-time.
The sound of the final whistle was the cue for thousands of celebrating members of the Green Army to pour onto the pitch and engulf their heroes in all-green.
Nancekivell said: "It was stressful but that was always going to be the case wasn't it? I thought the lads were brilliant today. That was one of our best performances for a few months, especially with the type of pressure they were under.
"To go and produce a performance like that against a team like Hull, who were pushing for the play-offs, we were really proud. I thought we were terrific.
"We wanted to be brave, we wanted to get on the ball and we wanted to take the game to them, which I think we certainly did, and then we had to defend at times, which against good teams in the Championship you are always going to have to do.
"Listen, all credit to the boys. They followed out everything we asked them to do and a little bit more. So just delighted and relieved to get it all over."
If ever a captain epitomised leading by example it was 33-year-old Edwards, who had been out of favour under former head coach Ian Foster, but not only worked tirelessly from start to finish but came up with the all-important winning goal.
Nancekivell said: "I didn't know he could jump that high but it was a great spring. A captain's performance. I thought all game he led by example and drove us forward. It was a great ball in by Callum Wright and the smallest man on the pitch gets up at the far post so fantastic."
Hull, whose play-off hopes were ended by West Bromwich Albion winning 3-0 at home to Preston North End, rarely threatened an equaliser despite having plenty of possession.
Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper had just one significant save to make when he pushed away a fierce strike from Jaden Philogene but, otherwise, there were not too many alarms for the hosts.
Nancekivell said: "I think a lot of that was because we were brave on the ball. I haven't seen the stats but I hope we had as much possession, or close to what they (Hull) did.
"We were on the good on the ball. We passed it well and then obviously you don't have to defend so much when you are in control of the ball do you? But when we did have to defend I thought our organisation and the disciplined approach that we showed was fantastic."
Birmingham scored early in the second half and word of that soon spread around Home Park, and a brief hush fell over the stadium with the realisation that Argyle could not afford to concede an equaliser.
Nancekivell said: "We knew that Birmingham were up. We saw the half-time score and then we got word they had scored. You need to know because it can affect the way you decide your substitutions and the way you play, but thankfully we were competent in what we were doing and it didn't matter in the end."
Under Nancekivell and director of football Neil Dewsnip, Argyle picked up three wins and 10 points in six games after the dismissal of Foster on Easter Monday. Although the Pilgrims cut it fine, finishing in 21st position a point above the relegation zone, it was enough to see them to safety.
Loyal club servant Nancekivell said: "I'm no different than thousands of Argyle fans - I am an Argyle fan - it means the world to me, but it means the world to a lot of people, not just myself, everybody at the football club.
"You could sense that this week and you could sense it today. I'm really emotional, really proud and we can sit back now and enjoy the summer."
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