An interesting, if in my opinion,incomplete view on our recent history and indeed the meritocracy of the play-off system.
I suspect Mike, like me, is a bit of a traditionalist and although a comparative newcomer to supporting the team (1971) I still subscribe to the White & Swales philosophy, i.e. Altrincham FC should aspire to being among the best, if not the best semi professional team in England and Wales. Back then to have been that would see you knocking on the door of the FL but in the decades in between it might've seen you in the relegation zone of the Conference National. Personally speaking, chasing league position whilst important is not crucial, the Berman years in particular have taught me that. However, in 2017 we clearly have the resources, the support and the access to playing talent to be the club White and Swales wanted us to be - it's a stated aim of the 5 year plan after all.
At the start of this season there were 6 part time sides in the league above us and about the same number of better resourced sides in this league, at least 2 of which we can accept are aberrations. With the greatest of respect Mike, given the resources upon which we can clearly call, this wretched season points to a much greater malaise at the club than the swings and roundabouts of footballing fortune.