“Miracles can happen and the impossible can be achieved.” That is the measure of Kings Langley’s Southern League Premier League survival, according to chairman Derry Edgar.

A season of upheaval off the pitch, and constant battle on it, reached its climax with a 1-0 win over Cirencester Town on Saturday as Kings ensured they finished outside the drop zone on goal difference.

For Edgar, Saturday represented the culmination of a season’s work as a goal from Stevie Ward proved the difference against Kings’ relegation rivals.

Despite three promotions in their previous three campaigns, Edgar believes avoiding the drop outstrips any of the club’s recent successes.

“It was a hugely emotional day and it is unfortunate feature of football that you can’t really enjoy those sort of games. The feeling at the end was euphoric,” Edgar said.

“I honestly think the achievement of staying in this league surpasses getting in it in the first place. There is such a disparity in teams at this level.

“We are up against some real heavyweights in our first season at this level and to be resilient enough to survive it has been outstanding.”

The stability which informed Kings’ rise through the divisions came tumbling down in November when management team Ritchie Hanlon and Paul Hughes left the club.

The duo took a number of players with them to Hayes & Yeading United – where they have since tasted relegation – after their departure and left Kings facing a daunting task to keep their head above water.

With this in mind, the appointment of Paul Hobbs on what was initially a short-term basis has proven to be a masterstroke and he has stabilised and galvanised the squad.

It remains unclear whether Hobbs will continue in the role next season, but Edgar leaves no doubt as to the esteem he holds him in.

“I can’t sing his praises enough and the same goes for his coaching staff. It is a measure of the man that he has come in at a level he has never managed before and done so well,” he said.

“Nobody expected them to keep us in the league under the circumstances they were under and it was no mean feat for them to get the players to respond like that.

“The management team has done that and they have made us a better side and made the players better, and that is what has kept us in the league.”

For Hobbs’ part, victory over Cirencester represented the culmination of a testing but enjoyable few months in which he and the club have grown together.

Scenes at the full-time whistle epitomised that, as a number of the record 645-strong crowd stormed the Gaywood Park pitch to celebrate the sanctuary of survival.

“There was a mixture of joy, relief and just being glad it was all over. There must have been the best part of 60 or 70 kids running on the pitch and the players were giving away their boots,” Hobbs said.

“The atmosphere was brilliant and every player, even those who didn’t get on, was emotional. It showed great team spirit.

“With the resources we have and losing so much of the squad, I think it ranks up there with the promotions. Speaking to players who were involved in those say it does.”

With Edgar eager for Hobbs to stay on, the ball is firmly in the manager’s court as to whether he continues at the Kings helm next term.

The challenge awaiting the club remains the same with or without Hobbs, and establishing themselves in a league populated by sides boasting greater financial muscle will still be tough.

Budgetary issues were at the heart of Hanlon and Hughes’ decision to leave the club and Hobbs admits it is something Kings will need to address going forward.

He is, however, confident the club have laid the foundations to move forward and can establish themselves as a Premier Division outfit.

He said: “For the club to stay in that league, a lot of things have to stay the same. We have to continue going about match days and preparation the way we do.

“We have an under-18s next season and we need to push through with youth players because we aren’t the sort of club that can attract players with money.

“It is down to the chairman, vice-chairman and board to see if they can up the budget a little bit, because we are competing with some big teams and we will need that.”

Edgar echoes Hobbs’ sentiments and has every confidence Kings will improve.

He said: “The plan is to cement a place in the league. We are not in debt and have no intention of being so. We won’t become another one of the horror stories you hear about clubs at this level.

“This (survival) is a step in the right direction and we have proved we can mix it with teams at this level. We have learned a lot and honestly believe we can push on next season.”