BRANTHAM Athletic chairman Peter Crowhurst is hoping to build a "wave of support" that helps his club achieve their goals next season.

The Imps have just finished a successful Thurlow Nunn League campaign in which they finished fifth in the premier division and won the League Cup.

Their silverware success came on Bank Holiday Monday, whey they defeated Thetford Town 4-2 in the final at Diss Town's Brewers Green Lane.

And Crowhurst believes his side have given themselves a "real foundation" for pushing on next term - both on the pitch and off it, by attracting more supporters.

“Our Achilles heel has always been building a support base, but we’ve won a lot of friends this season," he told the Standard.

“It’ll put us in a really good place in terms of getting people through the gate and selling more season tickets.

“That’s how Felixstowe have succeeded this season and we’d love to emulate their season (the Suffolk Seasiders finished as league runners-up, behind champions Coggeshall Town).

“This year our season ticket sales have been between 70 and 80 and now we’d love to get that figure up to 100. Maybe 120.

“Hopefully we can gradually build a wave of support and that will help so much in terms of finances and helping the club develop.

“Having a cup run and then winning some silverware has given us a real foundation for pushing on next season.

“We’ve achieved many things but our cup success was the crowning moment.

“We deserved it on the day and it’s a huge achievement for the whole club.

“I’m over the moon for everyone involved.

“It’s been a huge sea change for the club this year.

“We’ve always been in the middle territory but this time we’ve been pushing near the top of the table.

“Now we’ve gone and won a cup and it’s fantastic."

Brantham recently held their end-of-season presentation night.

Jack Sibbons was the big winner, being crowned as both supporters' and players' player-of-the-year.

Craig Hughes was the managers' player.

Meanwhile, Crowhurst has sung the praises of managerial duo Michael Brothers and Matt Carmichael.

Brothers still plays and was the two-goal hero in last week's League Cup success.

“Michael's played at the highest level of local non-league football – he could probably still be there – but now he’s chosen Brantham," said the Imps chairman.

“We’re lucky he’s chosen us to play for, manage and take forward.

“He might pick up a few bookings and wind a few people up but he’s a very good player and you couldn’t wish to meet a nicer bloke.

“I’m pleased for him and also Matty, who made the jump when joining us from Little Oakley."