RYAN Hayter wants to repay the faith the club has shown in the current squad by keeping Bridport in the Toolstation Western Premier Division next season.

The talented defender, who made 42 appearances for the Bees last term, believes the “tremendous” set-up at St Mary’s Field deserves top-flight football and is confident his side will hold their own under the guidance of boss Trevor Senior.

Hayter told Echosport: “The likes of Chris Senior, Darren Lock and I have been here for quite a while now and the aim has always been to get the club back into the Premier Division, so we are all absolutely delighted that has finally happened.

“The set up and the ground we have here is one of the best in the Toolstation Western League and hopefully we can match that with good performances on the pitch.

“We have always wanted to test ourselves at a higher level and now we have the opportunity it is important we all try and rise to the challenge.

“And if we can go in there and compete, and finish above relegation next season I think that would be seen as a big success.

“We are under no illusions about how tough it is going to be because there are some big budgets in that league but we feel we have got the team spirit to more than hold our own.”

Reflecting on last season, where the club finished third in Division One, Hayter added: “We had a sticky patch following an unbeaten start to the season but we came through strong and to draw at the champions Merthyr Town on the final day was another big indication of just what we are capable of.

“I think Merthyr will go straight up again this season so it is important we take confidence from that result and as long as everyone stays together I am confident we will do well, particularly if we can add a couple more to the squad over the next couple of months. Over the last few years we have beaten Wimborne Town and drawn with Larkhall Athletic, who won the Premier Division last season.

“I also thought we more than matched Weymouth in the semi-finals of the Dorset Senior Cup a couple of months back until three unbelievable goals at the end gave them victory, so we do tend to raise our game when we need to and that should stand us in good stead.”