Champions West Norfolk feel they are back where they belong after securing promotion to London North-East Division Three.

The Gatehouse Lane club were relegated from NE3 in 2009 but clinched a return by winning Greene King Eastern Counties Division One this season. It caps half a decade of rebuilding and now West chiefs are looking forward to writing the next chapter in the North Wootton outfit's rich history.

Boss Nigel Richardson said: 'This is a new era for West Norfolk. If anyone's ever been to West Norfolk they'll understand we've got great facilities, a great coaching set up and Larry (Lawrence Savage) has agreed to do the captaincy again next year which makes my job a lot easier.

'We've still got great young players coming through and I believe personally we're too big of a club to have been where we were. With all the hard work that everyone's put behind us – that comes from the committee, that comes from the chairman and everyone around the club from Les behind the bar to Gerry who does the food – everyone is really on a high and wants to move forward.'

Savage and Richardson are among a small number of West's squad that have experience of higher-level rugby and have been key components of a stunning title success.

And with a team packed full of young and pacy players – coupled with an attacking ethos – the maroons' manager is sure his troops will be able to hold their own come rugby's return in the autumn.

'I've always had the belief that we've got quite a number of players who deserve to have been playing at a higher level,' said Richardson.

'What it should do is bring the fringe players on. They should really want to work a bit harder, get their fitness up, and break into the side. They've got a nice period over the summer where we're going to do a great boot camp, and one or two other ideas that we've got, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead.'

Top try-scorer Ross Biggs, who crashed over 24 times this term in the league, is delighted by his side's success and feels it's been a glory that's slowly been coming.

He said: 'We've been in this league for about four years since we've been relegated and we have been building.

'Last season I think we had maybe a few too many young players but this year, due to players coming back from University and things like that, we've got a lot more senior players in the side and that's brought a much better balance to things.'

(Blob par): For more on West's success, listen to the 25th West Norfolk Sports Podcast at www.edp24.co.uk/wnsp