By Liam Morgan
PEACEHAVEN manager Shaun Saunders is already relishing next season's Ryman League Premier campaign – and has challenged his players to ensure they stay in the division.
The Magpies sealed the Ryman South title on Saturday as they comfortably beat Whitstable Town whilst nearest rivals Leatherhead slipped up with a surprise defeat at Herne Bay.
Next year will see Haven compete at the highest level in their history, and Saunders can't wait to get started.
He told The NLP: “I'm really looking forward to it and it is a fantastic achievement for a club like ours to be in that league.
“I'm hoping to keep this side together because I honestly believe that the team we've got at the moment can hold its own in the league above.
“I don't want to go up just to drop straight out of it. If we can survive it will be just as special as winning the title.”
There were chaotic scenes at the final whistle at the weekend as the news filtered through that Haven's second successive promotion was confirmed.
“We were all delighted and it was pandemonium at the end of the game when we realised we'd won the title,” Saunders said.
“I honestly expected it to go on a little bit further as I thought Leatherhead would win and we had planned for that.
“Division One South is a tough league to be in and to get out of it at the first time of asking is unbelievable.”
Peacehaven have already amassed 98 points this season – scoring a staggering 120 goals in the process – and will get the chance to wrap up a league and cup double as they have reached the final of the Sussex Senior Cup.
The match will be staged at Brighton's Amex Stadium against either Horsham YMCA or current Ryman Premier side Bognor Regis Town.
Saunders said: “It's going to be a tough match whoever we play but we're going there to win. It's fantastic for our football club that we get to play at such a wonderful stadium.
“This season has already been incredible and I can't put into words just how proud I am.
“The players have been great all season. Their attitudes have been first-class, they've just got on with their jobs and it has been a real joint effort from them and everyone at the club.”
