ROB Small says he will not believe Bowers & Pitsea are a Ryman One North team until he sees a revised league table in the summer, although says all he cares about for the time being is lifting the Essex Senior League trophy.

Bowers beat Waltham Forest 3-0 on Monday night to climb level on points with leaders Basildon United and four points clear of FC Romania.

With Basildon failing to apply for promotion, Bowers’ only opponents for promotion were Romania but they cannot now catch Small’s team with just one match remaining.

Bowers will now compete in the Ryman One North for the first time next season, although Small says his players must focus on beating Hullbridge Sports on Thursday, with their vastly superior goal difference meaning three points will see them crowned champions.

“I don’t think I will believe it until I see a Ryman One North league table with our name on it in the summer,” said Small. “But it is an exciting prospect. To think we may be playing alongside the likes of Thurrock and AFC Hornchurch and teams like Great Wakering and Tilbury is fantastic.

“But we have not finished yet. We still have a job to do against Hullbridge on Thursday and the celebrations are very much on hold until then. We want to win the league and beat our rivals Basildon to the trophy.

“Not having a break between games is incredibly tough. It is hard for the players but also the other people who may not get the credit they deserve. The kit has had to be washed every two days, the sandwiches need to be made, and matches need to be hosted. A lot of work goes into it.”

Small took over in the summer of 2014, joining from Southminster St Leonards, and led Bowers on their remarkable FA Vase journey this season, which saw them miss out of a final spot at Wembley after opponents Morpeth Town netted a final minute winner.

And, after an incredibly long season, he says he is looking forward to the summer break, while admitting his pride at proving a few people wrong since he took over.

“I have had enough and I need a break from football,” said Small. “It has been incredibly draining and although it has been such an incredibly successful season, I feel worn out. I still don’t believe we have done it to be honest.

“After the FA Vase run we had to play 15 matches in 33 days and were 22 points behind the leaders, so it was incredibly difficult.

“When I took the job there were people on social media who said I would fail and it gives me great satisfaction to have achieved this level of success. I am very proud of what the team has done and we now have to finish with a win to complete a great season.”