That means Whanganui stay in the Federation League, where they will be joined by Havelock North Wanderers, relegated from the Central League after one season, and Taradale, promoted from the Pacific Premiership.
Horizons Premiership winners Palmerston North Boys' High School and Taranaki Premiership winners Western did not seek promotion to the Federation League.
But the competition could still fall short of its 10-team target if talks result in a merger of Federation League teams North End and Massey University with Palmerston North competition contenders Red Sox Manawatu. Such a merger would produce an entity called Palmerston North United, so the scuttlebutt goes.
In any case, two Federation League teams would become part of one, bigger outfit in a nine-team competition with Gisborne Thistle still there.
We'll have to wait and see what happens, but if Thistle stay up they will have more games in Hawke's Bay than last year. They travel by road to those fixtures, leaving more money in the kitty for air travel to the more distant locations.
Before the season ended, Blair was already thinking about possible additions to his squad, mainly in the goalscoring department.
However, he was pleased with the overall potential shown by Thistle's under-19 team at the national club tournament in Napier.
The team's player of the tournament — chosen by the coaches — was guest player Finn McAuley, a centreback in his last year at New Plymouth Boys' High School. He was also the “players' player”.
Jags first-team squad member Leo Maisey won the team's golden boot award with six goals, five of them penalties.
Blair said McAuley was 6ft 2in (1.88m) tall, and strong in the air with a good technical base. He and centreback Ryan Anderson would complement each other. McAuley was keen to start an electrical apprenticeship, so Thistle were trying to organise one for him in Gisborne.
Other players to shine for Thistle were Maisey in his role as attack leader; Oska Smith, whose pace and skill made him a menace to opposing defences; Levi Julies, in an attacking midfield role; Cory Thomson, as the holding midfielder; Max Kume, who impressed with his covering play in the centre of the defence; Andre Baple, with his tenacious defence and dangerous forays down the wing; and goalkeeper Tom Talbot, who saved many shots that would have beaten others.
On the first day, Thistle lost 2-1 to Christchurch United and 2-1 to Ngaruawahia, and beat Whanganui Athletic 4-1.
Maisey scored from the penalty spot in all three games. Two of the three goals he scored against Whanganui were penalties; the other was a nice left-footed shot into the top left corner of the goal. Smith scored the fourth. Having made a run down the left, he slipped the ball between the advancing 'keeper and a covering defender.
On the second day, Thistle lost 3-1 to Albany, Maisey scoring from the spot again, and 3-0 to Manurewa.
Blair said the team's inexperience cost them a few goals. A tendency to “switch off” let some of their opponents off the hook when Thistle were in promising positions.
Experience was the best thing they got out of the tournament, “and the boys loved it”.
