VCD Athletic FC are celebrating back-to-back promotions after Saturday’s 6-0 demolition of Romford secured the Isthmian Division One North title.

The Vickers went into the final day a point behind Witham Town, but their rivals could only draw 1-1 at Cheshunt, meaning last season’s Kent League winners will now compete in the Isthmian Premier Division for the first time in the Crayford-based club’s 98-year history.

Manager Tony Russell has transformed the VCD’s fortunes since taking over 16 months ago and the 35-year-old is set to hold talks with club chairman Gary Rump next week to discuss where the Crayford side go from here.

He explained: “I said after the game on Saturday I needed a week off from football just to chill out a bit.

“There is off the pitch stuff which needs to be improved and we had that chat about six weeks ago.

“I would like him to be positive and not say the expectation is just to finish fifth bottom next year because that is not how I do things.”

It certainly isn’t as the stats bear out.

Saturday’s goal haul, which included a hat-trick from top scorer Michael Power, took the Vickers’ tally for the campaign to an impressive 116.

And it is this positivity which Russell wants to continue in the Isthmian Premier, a philosophy he believes will draw in neutral fans to Oakwood.

The boss said: “You will never see our keeper launch the ball forward like most of the teams do at this level, everything starts at the back.

“We were the bookies’ favourites for relegation at the start of this season but have shown what can be done by playing the way we do.

“Of course we will be respectful of the teams we face next year in the Premier but at the same time very confident we can go and win those games.

“Hopefully fans of Welling and Dartford will want to come and watch us at home when their own teams are away.”

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