At the time, it means the world. To those who walk away defeated, the end of theirs.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Wealdstone to congratulate them on their National League South championship glory.
The season may not quite be over but many clubs are already turning the attention to the new campaign.
Josh Gowling says he feels a sense of duty to work for free at Hereford until the club can start making money again.
Body aching and mind elsewhere, Chris Hargreaves accepts he is probably close to kicking his last ball.
Steve Cunningham is under no illusions at the challenge ahead of him at Curzon Ashton.
They do say that sometimes football matches are won and lost in the tunnel just before kick-off.
St Albans fans already have a new-look strike force to get to know as manager Ian Allinson wastes little time re-shaping his side.
It was the enduring image that dragged sympathy from even the most stone-hearted of football fans.
Craig Stanley has always been your Ronseal type of midfielder, he does exactly what he says on the tin.
Maidenhead United are wanting to mark their 150th anniversary by raising £150,000 for 15 local charities.