ILMINSTER Town have earned promotion to the Somerset County Premier Division, after rivals Street Reserves lost at home to Somerton.
The Blues thumped Congresbury 11-0 at the Archie Gooch Pavilion 10 days ago to sit second in the Division 1 West table on 47 points, and only Street – with two games in hand – could deny them a promotion spot.
But Somerton ended their hopes, confirming the Blues’ promotion – having been relegated from the Premier Division in 2015 – and moving themselves into third.
Ilminster manager Jason Manley said: “I am really pleased to have secured promotion in what has turned out to be a tough league.
“To finish second in front of Somerton, Winscombe, Street and Minehead is a massive achievement.
“My cousin and predecessor Darren [Manley] had already assembled the backbone of a good side.
“I added three experienced players in Matty and Darren Brown, and Joe Simmons, plus two young players in Joshua Parsons and Sam Rowswell.
“That freshened it up; apart from a few blips we kept close as a squad.
“The club has supported me throughout and made it easy for me – Andy Dyke, Jon Delahaye, George Hamill, Paul Higgins and Andy Fish have been right by my side.”
He added: “Next year, we will strengthen and I believe with the players I will add to the squad we can look at finishing in the top four.
“I would like to think the club are interested in entering the Western League, but I haven’t sat down and discussed it with the committee.”
With exciting, attacking teams on the pitch (Ilminster’s Reserves also won promotion, from Devon & Exeter Division 7) and a new facility at the Archie Gooch Pavilion, things are looking up for the club.
Over the summer, railings will be added around the ground, alongside a pitch maintenance programme to improve the playing surface.
Ilminster’s final game of the season is this Saturday (ko 3pm), away to fourth-placed Winscombe, who need a win to overhaul Somerton for the last promotion spot.
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