Town have had seven consecutive top six finishes under chairman Bill Fotherby

Chairman Bill Fotherby says Harrogate Town can only "try again" after failing to reach the Blue Square North play-offs for the second year in a row.

Fotherby is already looking ahead to the new campaign after seeing his side finish one place shy of the play-offs.

"We've had six magnificent seasons. I'm thinking of who we're going to sign, who's that bit better than last season," he told BBC Radio York.

Harrogate won 11 games away from home but poor home displays proved costly.

"I saw the best 21 away games. (I was) coming back on the coach in heaven."

If we'd have had York City's crowds we'd have won the Conference, never mind Blue Square North Bill Fotherby

Fotherby attributes their late season slide to several factors including top scorer Danny Holland's poor form in the second half of the season.

"I think it started with the FA Cup, when we got beat by (Harrogate) Railway. He hit the bar three times, it didn't happen for him after that game."

Fotherby agrees that expectations were high after doing so well for six seasons in a row, but cites low crowds at Wetherby Road as a hindrance.

"Under the circumstances we have done magnificently. I think we've got the best defence in Conference North," he added.

He also casted an envious eye 20 miles eastwards along the A59.

"If we'd have had York City's crowds we'd have won the Conference, never mind Blue Square North.

"We had a very small squad. Suspensions and injuries cost us. That's football, but that's yesterday, it's gone. We have to think about next season now," he added.