RYMAN PREMIER: CHAMPIONS

BILLERICAY’S fans have waited a long time for this – and their title-winning promotion this season was richly deserved.

Skipper Rob Swaine said it all felt like “fate” – and when you consider what they went through you can see why.

A bad pre-season knee injury to new signing Jerome Sobers set the tone for a run of shocking misfortune which included defender Chris Wild falling through a hotel balcony, midfielder Sam Berry affected by a heart problem, and striker Tony Boot suffer a career-threatening broken leg.

Undoubtedly the most galvanising event of the season was the terrible, partially-paralysing injuries suffered by keeper Nicky Morgan on a night out.

So it was entirely fitting to see him walk out on the pitch on the final day as the team received the Ryman Premier League trophy in front of 1,145 fans.

Town were often criticised for an aerial-style of play, but they were second highest scorers in the division and in the likes of Glenn Poole, Harrison Chatting and Jay May they had some of the nicest footballers in the division.

And Swaine believes that if they retain the core of their squad they could challenge for the play-offs in the Conference South next season.

And he’s led the way by agreeing a one-year deal to lead them in their first campaign at that level.

Manager Craig Edwards has said he will look at potential new signings in late June and that he wants to retain the majority of his current squad.

But he admits that new investment is needed at the club otherwise they will start in the Conference South on August 18 working to the same budget they used in this season’s successful Ryman Premier campaign.