BURNHAM manager Paul Shone is delighted for all involved with the football club after winning the Hellenic Division One East title this season, writes Rob Stevens.

The Blues secured the title with a convincing 4-0 victory against Chinnor thanks to a Lucas Sinclair brace plus goals from Ryan Tackley and Aiden Higgs at The Gore on Saturday.

It means Burnham will return to the Premier Division at the first attempt, and Shone backs his side to be competitive rather than make up the numbers next season.

He told the Observer: “It was great to win the title in the last game of the season at home. It was a convincing win and we could have scored more goals.

“I’m chuffed to bits for everyone involved behind the scenes and on the pitch.

“We’ve had a young squad all season and it’s their first taste of men’s football, so to come away with the league title is a great achievement.

“It means a lot and it’s what we set out to do from day one. We’ve done it now and it’s onwards and upwards because we want to progress year on year.”

Shone continued: “I want to keep on progressing next season. We’re capable of that and it’s something to look forward to.

“Winning the title is great but it’s a stepping stone to where we want to be in three or four years time.

“We will strengthen over the summer and look to bring in two or three new players.

“The older ones have already played at that level or above and the youngsters have got massive potential. We will give them a platform to perform but it’s down to them to go and write their own script.

“We’re in the Premier Division to win it and not make up the numbers. We want to compete a the top end and see where it takes us.

“We’re more than capable of competing if we get get the mix of youth and experience right.”

Burnham will look to complete the league and cup double when taking on Malmesbury Victoria from Division One West in the Hellenic Subsidiary Cup final at Newent Town on Saturday 4th May.

Shone said: It’s one we can all look forward to because it has the makings of a good game.

"We've had a look at Malmesbury and got feedback from teams that have played against them.

"It was brilliant to win the league because it shows we were the most consistent over the course of the season.

"A cup final is a one off and anything can happen but to win it would be a fantastic achievement."