I am surprised you didn't see your Chairman's lengthy statement about not applying for the Conference proper because I read it on your website at the start of last season and I know it was quoted on the local press (even Hucknall's)
It was a very well thought out statement and was along the same lines as our own which was issued around the same time. The general view of both Clubs was that we were simply not ready for full Conference status, both on and off the field.
Because of this, Hucknall supporters were not devasted, as you have suggested, at failing to achieve promotion as we all knew it was not an option. The Club's supporters knew that the Club had targeted a top 5 or 6 place to ensure promotion to Conference 1 North. Quite simply, the team exceeded everyone's expectations and although disappointed that promotion was not achieved, everyone at the Club is delighted at achieving its highest ever placing in non-league football and actually winning the Championship.
Better to achieve your goals one at a time than overstretch yourself and then go into freefall afterwards, like many of the Clubs have that now find themselves in this Division.