Hornchurch manager Daryl McMahon said to DAZN:
“I’ve been here two-and-a-half years now and two promotions in a short period of time. The way the club’s moved forward so quickly has been incredible.
“I’m a bit emotional and just very proud of the group, very proud of the players, the staff, the club, our owner who backs us and wants to move to look forward, so I’m absolutely delighted.
“We never planned to go up this quick. We finished ninth last season, which is the highest leap this club ever had in this history, and then this year you look at the league table, the teams, the division, teams that are going full-time, much bigger clubs than us, and you’re thinking ‘How are we going to finish ninth again?’
“I think we’ve recruited well in the summer. We’ve got some very, very good experienced players, but we’ve also got really young players that have got lots of energy and quality and assets to the football club as well.
“We’ve done well in terms of bringing that mix together and we’ve ended up with today, which is incredible. “
Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball told BBC Radio Devon:
“I think we should have passed the ball more. A hot day, we should have made them work harder – should have made them run more, and we didn’t.
“Every time we went in the lead, we then kicked it long, so I think we’ve got to be better. I’m disappointed in the manner in which that happened.
“I think there’s a foul for their goal. I think there’s two fouls on the edge of our box, and where’s the advantage if it’s a foul right on the edge of the 18-yard box and the ball goes backwards?
“I’m quite disappointed with the referee, if I’m being honest with you. I don’t think we got a lot.”
Here’s the social media reaction following two promotions confirmed now that the 2025/26 National League North and South playoff finals have been played out…
ON SOUTH SHIELDS v KIDDERMINSTER:
@JSWC1995: Fylde and Kidderminster, a match made in heaven. You just can’t leave us alone! Big congratulations to Adam and big Meeks on a second promotion together, see you next season folks, enjoy the celebrations!
@richthorndike: So many doubters early part of the season. What an amazing job Muzza has done. I hope they have the courage to come back on here and apologise. Well done Kiddy. Back in the National League!! 🍾
@leesinclair11: Congrats from a shields fan better team from the start think our lot are in chippy or pub still didnt turn up today well done
@aw_2690: Going up again, going up again, going up again ole ole ole 🎶
@simon567778: Lesson learnt for all of those calling for the gaffers head who saod he was clueless. Fools
@baylis_josh: FairPlay Adam Murray 🙌🏻🙌🏻 doubted by many midway through season – me included, happy to say how wrong was I
@bulletsburleigh (on South Shields’ Twitter): Some of the comments on here by fellow toon fans has pissed me right off. It’s not exclusive Sunderland and just because it south of Tyne doesn’t mean they are mackems. Shields is a 50/50 split between the two fan bases. It’s 11 miles from the toon, but Blyth is 18 but they are supported. The ground has been a collective of the toon and safc fans for years. It’s refreshing to have a club that we can all get behind. It’s a sad day for the region. We go again next season. #UTM
@MbwLdurham: As a @Official_HUFC fan, I watched the game hoping you could get up and have a derby game, disappointed you could not get over the line but you look tied and as if you had run out of steam, hopefully you can reset and next season win the league and no need for play offs
@Connor_RiceyGFC: Enjoy Hebburn away lads
@JoeShieldsMag1: Always felt like a tough ask today. Performance was poor and we made it too easy for Kiddy with gifting them two goals. Next season we need to try and build a more physical squad so we are able to win more games away and compete against rough and ready sides like Kiddy.
@ahgfc27588i: TITLE? PLAY-OFFS? HOW ABOUT NEITHER HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@SCTP1212: Might get slated from other Shields fans but we were a disgrace today from top to bottom. Both management and players need to be assessed to see if they can cut it. On today’s showing all are severely lacking.
@cestrian_10: bottle job that is unfortunately. had all the spending power in the world, players well above the level knocking them in for fun against farmers but froze when it mattered. see you next season.
ON HORNCHURCH v TORQUAY:
@LSpireites (to Hornchurch): From a Chesterfield fan, huge congratulations. Torquay may be a bigger club with a longer history but that means nothing, you have beat them on the pitch which is all that counts. Enjoy your celebrations and good luck next season in the National League! 💙
@Adamo_001: Another Daryl McMahon masterclass, what a manager
@NathanTBatWaver: Fair play Hornchurch. That ground in the national league is gonna be crazy and I kinda love it 😂😂
@ryan_woolnough: Oh dear. Another year in the NLS for the “massive” Torquay 🤣 Glad Hornchurch did it after the bleating from Torquay officials & fans about the final, trying to get it moved and just generally complaining about having to go to The Bridge., The “EFL club” have thrown it away 🤣
@ArgyleMemes on Torquay: Need to have a serious mentality check next season. Too big to be in NLS. You’re not Exeter FFS.
@DanPreston45545: Enjoy the nls boys xoxo – Yeovil fans
@Cardinal27: 😂😂😂😂 probably should have worried more about your own team than the size of Hornchurch’s ground and whether it was suitable enough or not. Enjoy your trip to Farnham next season!!
— 🦭 (@ALtz8c) May 9, 2026