BOWERS & Pitsea manager Rob Small says all his team’s hard work has been worth it after ending a marathon season as Essex Senior League champions.

Small’s team have played 60 competitive matches this campaign (71 including pre-season) as they reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase in a stellar season.

However, their cup exertions left them 22 point off the leaders come the middle of March and facing the prospect of 15 league games in 26 days.

But a return of 37 points from a possible 45 was enough to see of the challenge of Basildon United and ensure they finished the season two points clear at the top of the standings, and book their place in Ryman One North next year.

And Small said lifting the championship trophy after a 2-1 comeback win over Hullbridge Sports was something he would never forget.

“Despite what I said at the time I always thought we had an outside chance of winning,” he said. “But we had so much to do and we had dropped points we shouldn’t have and it looked such a huge task in March.

“It has been incredibly hard but it is all worth it when you wake up as a league champion.

“It was a hard game and, although it may sound odd to say, beating Hullbridge 9-0 just days earlier was the worst thing that could have happened as they had to prove it was a freak result, which they did.

“We were losing with 20 minutes remaining and the nature of the win made it even more satisfying. Nothing worth having comes easy and that was certainly the case here.

“It was a night I will never forget.”

It caps a memorable two years at the helm for Small after taking over in the summer of 2014. And he has excelled, winning 60 and losing just 10 of his 78 league matches to date as well as lifting the Essex Senior League Cup final last year and reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase.

But he is now looking forward to a mini break before he turns his attentions to next season, with the small matter of his wedding just around the corner.

“I am very satisfied with the last two years," he said. "We have put Bowers & Pitsea on the map and we cannot wait to play Ryman League football. It has been hard but really satisfying and I am so pleased to be working with such a good group.

“It will be great to have a little break now. I get married in three weeks and had my stag do this weekend. Although, much to the future Mrs Small’s annoyance, I will be planning for next season in the run up to the wedding!”