JUBILANT Blues’ boss Gary Bailey expressed his elation in lifting the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One crown, and hailed the entire club for their efforts on and off the field throughout the campaign.

The Blues, who only returned to the Wessex League structure from the Dorset Premier League last summer, were presented with the trophy following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Totton & Eling at Grove Corner.

And the island boss believes that the presentation was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on their campaign at home.

He told Echosport: “It was a great day for the club and we could not have planned it any better.

“The boys are delighted and I could not be happier with them.

“We always knew what we had here and always trusted this squad.

“We were conscious that if we didn’t make the step up (from the Dorset Premier League) that it would probably break up

and it would have been a real shame.

“These players have shown a great loyalty with their last couple of seasons in the DPL. They could have quite easily taken the opportunity to play up but they wanted to see this club up where it belongs.

“With the hard work of the chairman, the committee and everyone else, they have grasped the opportunity with both hands and we cannot fault them.

“All the figures add up to say we are deserved champions at the end of the day, I don’t think anyone can deny that. We’ve been top since around September and the boys have been brilliant from start to finish.”

Asked if it was his proudest season in management, Bailey replied: “Of course, it was a step into the unknown for me as well as a manager.

“The boys we have brought in have all gelled and bought into the ethos of the dressing room as well. Once you are in it and you are accepted it’s a fantastic place to be.

“They have played for each other and represented the club fantastically well.”