IN terms of sheer drama, the last few days will take some beating.

On Saturday afternoon, Chorley lost a nailbiting UniBond play-off final at Radcliffe following a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Then barely 48 hours later, my old club Morecambe suffered a similar fate as their attempts to reach the Football League ended in heartbreak.

I know some people are fiercely opposed to play-offs of any kind but I think they're a breath of fresh to the Non-League game.

Last night's Conference play-offs were both sell-outs and attracted huge media interest.

And the final itself at Stoke promises to be another great spectacle watched by a 20,000-strong full house, which fully vindicates the decision to introduce them in my book.

I was gutted to see Morecambe fail in their attempts to reach the Third Division because I still have a lot of friends up there and they've had a remarkable season.

But speaking purely with my chairman's hat on, it's also great news for Stanley that we'll be playing them again next season.

That means we've got two more local derbies to look forward to and those games will also have added spice given mine and John Coleman's previous connections with the Shrimps.

I was also interested to read this week that the Conference are now trying to increase their membership to 24 clubs next season.

If the FA was to give it the all-clear then that would mean a reprieve for two of the relegated clubs.

I've got to admit certain people seem to have vested interests for wanting to implement this now.

But by the same token, the idea also gets my support because two extra home games would mean an extra £20,000 to Accrington Stanley next season.

If Southport won a reprieve that would also mean another two extra derbies as well so it's going to be interesting to see what happens there.

In the meantime, you've got to say it's been a thrilling season for non-league football fans in the North West.

Stanley and Bacup both got promoted, Morecambe and Chorley made the play-offs, Clitheroe have reached a Cup final, and Great Harwood finished the campaign in impressive style, finishing sixth in the North West Counties Second Division.

I'm sure the fans at Morecambe and Chorley are both feeling gutted right now but they'll be back competing for honours again next season, I'm sure of that.

As for me, well this is my last column of the season.

I'm sure the Merry Whistle Blowers will be glad to see the back of me during the summer months while they tend their gardens, or whatever it is they do.

I've had great fun at their expense and I've got to say they're easier to wind up than my missus!