Hampton & Richmond Borough might have claimed Ryman Premier League crown on Saturday, but chairman Steve McPherson missed the moment of truth - because he was in the car park.
The Beavers finished top of the pile by a single point after a 0-0 draw with Enfield Town on Saturday in front of more than 2,400 fans at the Beveree.
A win for the visitors would have condemned boss Alan Dowson's men to the play-offs with second-placed rivals Bognor Regis Town winning 4-0 at home to Hendon, meaning the title's destination was in the balance until the final whistle.
The manager described the contest as the worst football match he had seen, with an Enfield goal in the closing stages likely to have robbed Hampton of the crown.
Steady hand: Chairman Steve McPherson, right, was a nervous onlooker at the Beveree on Saturday and was in the car park when the final whistle on the season blew
But to McPherson's relief the hosts held on to spark wild scenes of celebration at the Beveree - not that he saw any of it.
"It wasn't the best of games to be fair. Everyone in the ground was nervous and everyone around the town was nervous before the game," he said.
"Praise to Bognor for pushing us all the way, but over 46 games the league table doesn't lie and I thought we deserved it.
"We haven't been involved in a 0-0 match all season and we have only not scored in two games all season.
"I couldn't watch. I was wandering around the car park for the last 10 or 15 minutes because I was so nervous.
"We knew Bognor were leading 4-0 so a goal for Enfield at any time towards the end probably would have cost us."
Glory hunters: More than 2,400 fans were at the Beveree on Saturday to watch Hampton claim the Ryman Premier League title with a dour but dramatic 0-0 draw with Enfield Town
McPherson will sit down with Dowson in the next week to hammer out the pre-season friendly schedule, which is set to include visits from Premier League Watford and Championship outfit QPR.
Recruitment plans for next term will also be on the agenda and the chairman, who has claimed some credit for the success at the Beveree this term, is confident the club is prepared for the step up.
"I spent £15,000-£20,000 on that pitch last summer and we lost one game to the weather all season," he added.
"The surface has been much better than before which has meant we have been able to get the ball down and play. As a result we have won 17 league games at home this season."
He added: "We are better prepared for the step up as a club. We have got the infrastructure in place from Hampton Youth right up to the first team.
"The ground is up to scratch as well. We will be going up against some big clubs next year and there is more money sloshing about at that level.
"Gates are up and we got more people here on Saturday than Sutton United did in the league above."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here