Mulbarton Wanderers are poised to make the step up from the Anglian Combination - despite missing out on the Premier Division title.

The village club will finish second in the table behind Harleston Town following a 1-0 defeat in a top-of-the-table showdown at Mulberry Park on Saturday, but have been provisionally accepted into the Thurlow Nunn League and are ready for a new challenge.

'As a village football club, ran entirely by volunteers, this news is a massive step in securing a bright future for football and sport within the village and will put Mulbarton securely on the map as one of the region's best places to play football,' said a statement from the club.

'Playing at Step Six of the football pyramid enables the club to compete in the prestigious FA Vase as well as giving us the chance to qualify for the FA Cup in future seasons.'

First team management duo Ben Thompson and Danny Self have committed their long-term future to the club as they look to build on their recent successes, with the club now waiting for confirmation that they will be competing in Thurlow Nunn League Division one next season.

Chairman Duane James said: 'The club is committed to ensuring the longevity off this move by maintaining the high level of commitment by everyone involved in getting the club this far.

'We're constantly looking at ground improvements to ensure we have everything in place to make this transition and we'll be erecting a stand in the summer and renovating our changing rooms to ensure we're ready.

'We'll also continue investing in our younger players and coaching staff, from our Under-6s through to our adult teams to ensure the club has a wealth of talent for the first team to pick from in the future. As a club we realise the need for a good base to work from.'

Vice-chairman Danny Gaskin added: 'Our club is built on hard work and our own money. We raise funds through membership fees, fundraising events such as the Mulbarton Festival and sponsorship. Whatever we raise is invested in facilities for both the adult and youth teams and all without risking the club long-term future. Stepping up another level may bring additional costs, but we hope to be able to attract more sponsors to help with that — otherwise we'll just work harder.'