Stockport trip will be reward for all Batchelor’s hard work

However, for Brakes midfelder Richard Batchelor it will be the first game he looks for when the Conference North fixtures are released next month.

A cruciate ligament injury picked up in pre-season cruelly robbed Batchelor of the chance to test himself in the Conference, ruling him out for the entire season.

It meant that while his team-mates were holding the Hatters to a 1-1 draw, Supporters’ Player of the Year Batchelor was nearly 100 miles away at home in Birmingham.

“It was devastating,” said Batchelor. “I never went to Stockport on purpose - I couldn’t face it.

“I was annoyed that I was part of the team that had got us promotion but there were all these new players who had come in and were getting the chance to play in the biggest stadium I would ever have played in.

“I went to a lot of games and tried to support the boys.

“But having worked so hard to get them there, it was hard.”

Faced with a prolonged spell on the sidelines, the combative midfielder admitted it needed a great deal of mental as well as physical strength to complete his rehabilitation.

And he says the lengthy lay-off will make him appreciate his first taste of Conference football even more.

“Since I’ve been a baby I’ve not missed a season. I think six or seven weeks is the most I’ve been out.

“So to be out for a whole season...

“The club and the fans supported me and I appreciate that.

“Paul (Holleran) tried to keep me involved and I did bits and pieces on the training ground.

“But it was a great feeling to be back, even running around the training pitch.”

Batchelor’s decision to commit to Brakes for the 2014/15 season had Holleran hailing it as like a new signing.

But Batchelor says it will still be the same whole-hearted, fearless player who takes to the pitch when Brakes return to action with a friendly against Cheltenham on July 18.

“The rehab’s going really well and I feel quite confident. The leg feels stronger than before.

“I’ve already started pre-season. I’ve been training four times a week and I’ve got a personal trainer, I’m really pushing myself.

“I wish the season could start tomorrow.”