This brings the curtain down on a four-year stint in the Lincolnshire League — and Boston United would like to thank the league's management committee for their help and support over the past four seasons, which saw the Pilgrims lift the league title in 2011 and the Challenge Cup in 2013.

The development squad will not take the reserves’ place in any formal league structure, but instead will play non-competitive fixtures against Football League and Football Conference sides, with further emphasis on player development.

The Pilgrims have already agreed in principle to play the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Notts County, Mansfield Town and Lincoln City throughout the course of next season — with additional opponents set to be confirmed in due course.