Pic: John Rose
MARTYN ROGERS wants his Tiverton Town side competing at the top of the Southern Premier after the legendary boss secured his third promotion with the club.
Rogers, who returned for his second spell in charge in 2014 after a previous 20-year stint, saw his side upset favourites Salisbury in the Southern South & West play-off final last Monday.
The 2-0 victory was Tivvy's third win over Salisbury this season and means they will be returning to Step 3 after a six-year absence.
Rather than concede that his side could find the step up difficult, Rogers is confident that with a new signing or two, Tiverton can challenge again.
“The boys were absolutely superb in the final part of the season,” said Rogers, who also saw his team lift the Devon St Lukes Bowl last Tuesday.
“To overcome sides of the calibre of Taunton and Salisbury, who we beat three times this season, you can't say we weren't worthy of promotion.
“The top half of the South & West was the strongest it's been for quite a while, so we've got out at the right time!
“I've never been the sort of person who thinks ‘let's just consolidate'. I like aiming for the top and I'll never change. I'll be out to make a big, bold showing in the Southern Premier, otherwise you end up accepting second best a bit too easily.
“Everything will be new to most of the players next season and it will be a challenge. But the play-offs have shown that the lads I've got do love a challenge.”
Rogers, who previously led Tiverton to back-to-back FA Vase successes in the late 1990s, is looking forward to testing himself again in the Southern Premier – the level the club were at when he resigned following the 2009-10 campaign after they were reprieved from relegation.
“There's four more games next season and more travelling, so it's going to be a big test,” he added.
“We're looking forward to some cracking games. I used to be the manager of Weymouth and they're a big Non-League club.
“We were on par with them really when I left so it will be nice to go up against them again. You've also got Kettering, Banbury, King's Lynn and others that are exciting.
“I'll go away with the directors for a few days and we'll map out what we're going to do. I'm really looking forward to it.”
