BRIDPORT chairman Adrian Scadding believes the club will have no problems settling back into the Toolstation Western Premier Division.

He also believes their promotion back to the top-flight can lead to a permanent stay, particularly under the guidance of first-team boss Trevor Senior.

Scadding said: “The club is a credit to the town. We have a great pitch, the support has been great this year and the attitude and commitment from the squad has been spot on “Having now been chairman for six years I suppose it is about time we went up and the fact the players have been texting me non-stop since Thursday night just shows what it means to everyone involved.”

When asked how he reckons Senior’s men will fare next season, Scadding added: “We will more than compete, I have no doubts about that.

“You only have to look at the results we have had against higher league sides recently to see how we raise our game against the bigger teams.

“Merthyr Town, who won our league this season, are a very strong side and we drew with them 2-2 the last time we played them.

“We have also beaten the likes of Dawlish Town, Bideford and Wimborne Town in cup competitions over the last couple of seasons and I know the lads are already relishing the new challenges that lie ahead.”

The Bees dropped to Division One at the end of the 2004-05 season, ending an 11-year stay in the top-flight, and after six long hard years under several different managers, Senior is adamant the club is back where it belongs.

He said: “We are all absolutely thrilled and it is no more than the club deserves.

“We may have finished just outside the top two this season but we have done everything that has been asked of us, including getting our ground in order, and this promotion is a just reward for the players and all those people that work so hard behind the scenes.

“The plan now is to look to consolidate in the league above and keep building on the great foundations we have here.

“A bit more football is played in the Premier Division and that will definitely suit us and I am sure the promotion will give us a bit more pulling power in terms of attracting players.

“We have not got loads of money but we pride ourselves on doing things in the right way and I have spoken to a couple of lads already about the possibility of joining us.

“However, at the moment, I think it is important we all enjoy this and make the most of the summer before returning in pre-season ready to go again.”