Raiders started the season with a quiet ambition: promotion. A season that has been characterised by highs and lows. We started in great form, winning our opening five games, including a tremendous FA Cup win over Malvern Town. We went on to win Team of the Month in January after an impressive start to 2026 left us unbeaten, a run which lasted until 28th February. All of this accumulated in Raiders reaching and winning the Play-Offs.

Chairman, Steve Harris, stated: “The past few years have brought real uncertainty — from playing at Sixways under administration to transitioning to our new home. This season was always going to present challenges, but our focus was clear: stabilise the club, build a sustainable structure, and provide the management team with a competitive, self-sufficient budget.

It’s fair to say we’ve exceeded all expectations.

Huge credit must go to our managers, Jordan and Stewart — true gentlemen and a pleasure to work with, also to our coaching staff, Tom Dale, Daizhari Tucker and Ollie Evans, along with physio Nicola Dutson, who has had to manage the biggest injury list we have ever had.

Our members, Jamie Gillispie, George Cornes and Louise Jones, Allie Woods have worked tirelessly all season. Our non-executive directors — Tom Watson, Adam Heighway and Paul Edwards — have also been a huge support throughout.

A huge thank you to our media and support team, who have travelled the length of the country all season. Special mention to our Media Manager, Keanan Rolph, Chef, Lee Jones, Bar Staff, Lisa Palmer, Kit Manager, Sam Clay, and our match reporters, Sam Joseph and Jamie Hughes.

Success like this doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built on hard work, dedication, and commitment from every single person involved. Promotion is a true team effort — from volunteers to management.

Jordan Lewis’ team won 31 out of a possible 52 games, scoring a whopping 100 goals, 24 of which came from Club Captain and Play-off maestro, Jordan Murphy, arguably his best season in a Raiders Shirt. Further to his goal-scoring tally, both Murphy and Vice Captain Jordan Stoddart reached 150 appearances for Raiders.

Murphy said: “This club and the people who keep it going mean a lot to me, and to contribute the way I did in the final and to promotion is something I’ll never forget. But regardless, this was never about individuals; it’s about the group and what a group we’ve had. Every single person in that dressing room, left out of the squad or who missed it through injury, has played a part in getting us over the line.

We’ve stuck together through the tough moments, and I think we proved what we’re capable of when everything clicks into place.

To everyone who’s supported us, I hope we’ve made you proud”.

Our first season at The Diary of a Debt Collector Stadium (DOADC) was always going to be a difficult transition and produce challenges both on and off the pitch, but I think the attitude, resilience, and commitment shown by the Volunteers, Management and Squad speak for themselves, and Raiders just wouldn't be the same without it.

Manager Jordan Lewis summarised his view of the season and said: “The pre-season planning and preparation were really good for us. We decided early on our system and recruited for that, leaving us positive ahead of the start.

We have had to face a really tough year when it comes to injuries, and would absolutely feel the need to mention Dan Noke, Carrick Hill, George Baker, Harry Lewis, Sam Whitton, Fred King, Connor Jakeways, Jahdel Hamilton, Kiyan Baker-McKay, and George Parkinson. Who have all suffered serious breaks or ACL/ligament injuries but remained involved and with the team regardless.

Across the season, I’ve felt it right to be nothing but honest with the lads and in interviews (that I clearly don’t enjoy doing), but can only say what people are seeing. There have been times we have been absolutely dreadful to watch & times we have been very good.

We got ourselves in a good position come the end of the season. We prepared and rotated where we could, knowing we just needed to go and win two big games. We had done well all season in those big games.

Being a part of the group that’s sent the club to its highest ever level is a really proud moment.

Am just the front of a super management team that gives up so much time to support the players of the first team, but also wider in the club. Our U18’s get a huge amount of attention from our management team.

The clubs' support and trust in me to take Raiders on at the time probably felt left field for some, and in truth, I knew that too - but having been given the chance, I knew I'd give it everything.

Here’s to the next challenge and continuing to grow Worcester Raiders from First Team down”.