LITTLE Oakley chairman Michael Good believes the club deserve their promotion after they were placed in the Essex Senior League for next season.

The Acorns have gone up to Step 5 after the new non-league constitution was this week announced for next season.

Oakley, who had been playing in Thurlow Nunn League first division south, will now compete in the Essex Senior League, after the FA announced the make-up of the allocation of teams to Step 3-6 Leagues in the National League System.

Good said: "We are very pleased to have been placed in the step 5 Essex Senior League as part of the FA restructuring for next season.

"Of course, it is not how we wanted to be promoted but no one can say that we didn't deserve it and the club has worked so hard for it over the two truncated seasons.

"I would like to thank all the volunteers, spectators, sponsors and advertisers for their support which has led us to this historic moment for the club.

"Sean, Paul and Gary led us to promotion to step 6, with Sean Tynan also a major driving force off the field as well, and we will always be grateful to them.

"When Sean decided to step down, we all decided that to achieve step 5 football we needed an experienced and ambitious manager to lead us.

"There was only one person on our short list and Matty Carmichael had been inspirational in meeting the club's ambitions.

"He told us that he would achieve the goal within three years and he was good to his word.... as he will be constantly reminding me from now on!!

"Everyone at the club is also fully aware of how important James and Ben also are to our success and, as a group, the management team have been outstanding in improving the team and achieving promotion.

"The players have been unbelievable and deserve all the credit. It is without doubt the best team that we have ever had at the club with many breathtaking performances in recent times.

"Our only regret is that Tim Gooch is no longer with us. He would have been very proud of what we have achieved and at the centre of the celebrations!!

"We are fully aware of the challenges ahead at step 5 but will continue with our aim of being competitive and enjoying our football.

"It will be an honour for Little Oakley to bring step 5 football back to the town and we have exciting times ahead."

Meanwhile Oakley boss Matt Carmichael says there are 'exciting times ahead' for the club, following their elevation to Step 5.

Writing on Twitter, Carmichael said: "3 years ago , I took the decision to step down a league after leaving Brantham.

"The chairman of ⁦‪@LittleOakleyFC‬⁩ Michael Good, told me his ambitions to get the club to step 5 within the next 5 years.

"I told him with the squad we had and a few additions we would do it in 3.

"The club achieved promotion to step 6 under the management of ⁦‪@sean_tynan‬⁩ and ⁦‪@paulsadler26‬⁩ and credit must go to them for what they built.

"Myself and ⁦‪@JamesGood_1‬⁩ have added to that squad and the players over the years have been exceptional.

"The fans and the volunteers have been unbelievable but the bulk of the plaudits must go to Michael And His wife ⁦‪@kenalda‬⁩ their drive and passion is unparalleled.

"We now start planning for our next chapter at step 5 in the ⁦‪@EssexSenior‬⁩ .Exciting times ahead at the Memorial Ground!"