Watford club Fullerians already planning for life in London One North Division

A 17-3 victory over Enfield Ignatians rubber-stamped Fullers’ promotion from London Two North West on Saturday.

While the match itself was cagey, Brind was delighted with the players’ efforts throughout the season which have led them to being crowned champions.

He said: “It is a great achievement by the chaps and the coaching staff. They really have exceeded all expectations. I thought we would finish in the top four but I never thought we would win it.

“It has come as a surprise and what is nice is just over half the team have come through our minis and junior teams, so are home grown.

“Ten of the guys who played on Saturday have come up through the juniors so that shows what a good club this is and we are a local club.”

Saturday’s result secured a second consecutive promotion for Fullerians but they were made to battle for the victory over a stubborn Enfield side.

Fullers failed to make the most of consistent early pressure as a number of presentable scoring chances resulted in the ball being lost forward or the final pass being misplaced.

The breakthrough eventually came after a high tackle prevented Liam Mann from scoring and resulted in a penalty try for the visitors.

Charlie Dollard then scored his first try for the first team to give Fullers some breathing space as they continued to dominate.

Mark Kerr went over in the second half to complete the scoring. It was a performance which failed to please head coach Rich Hoskins, but he could not conceal his joy at being promoted.

“I was pleased we won, but we wanted to do it in a bit more style and I was a bit disappointed with the performance,” he said.

“I will take promotion however it comes though, and to be in a situation where we have exceeded all expectations from the start of the season has been great.”

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet and I think it will sink in more at the end of the season when we will have a big celebration.”

Promotion brings with it new challenges and Fullerians will have to adapt to life in a highly competitive division where teams often have the resources to pay their players.

Plans are already being put in place to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible and both Brind and Hoskins are confident they will be able to cope with the improved level.

Brind said: “I think if we could finish in mid-table next season it would be a good campaign. We want to more than just survive and we want to push the players a little bit.

“I think the players are more than capable of competing at a higher level and they will have extra belief from getting the double promotion.

“Some of them are of National League standard if not all of them, so let’s see them challenge themselves and achieve something good next season.”

Hoskins echoed his chairman’s sentiments and feels his young squad now deserve the chance to show what they can do in a higher division.

“London One North will be hard, but I think we are capable enough of staying in the division. There is a lot of work to do between now and the start of the season though,” Hoskins said.

“The players have all earned the right to play in a higher league next year and I can’t fault their effort or commitment.

“It is exciting for the club because we are at the highest position we have been and hopefully we can now finish the season on a high.”

A new strength and conditioning coach has already been added to the ranks and the club will hold a number of meetings about plans for next season in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, their focus is on Saturday’s match against Staines where Hoskins wants to see his players end their campaign on a high.