Ernie Warren says Ashford United’s promotion to the Kent Hurlimann League Premier next season presents the re-formed club with a golden opportunity to rediscover former glories,

United’s third place finish in the Kent Invicta League last season, and runners-up Hollands & Blair’s failure to meet the required ground criteria, has proved good enough to win a place in the new 19-club constitution, together with champions Phoenix Sports.

However the exact make-up is still unclear as Crowborough Athletic and Rye United have appealed against being switched from the Sussex County League.

United chairman Mr Warren said: “We heard via e-mail that we have been promoted and were delighted to accept. The only way to get out of the league was to win it, which we didn’t do, but have benefited from the big restructure taking place at levels four and five.

“It’s a big step for us, everyone is upbeat and it’s fantastic news. I spoke to our manager Paul Chambers, and he is delighted and over the moon.”

Mr Warren met club owner and benefactor Tony Betteridge this week to discuss the way forward.

He added: “We want to retain players in our squad and progress, stick together and build, strengthening and improving where necessary.

“We were a big fish in a small pond in the Kent Invicta League, and when not on our game lost against teams which should have beaten.

“The Kent League will be a more level playing field, but I don’t think it will mean an immediate rise in attendances. I think people will sit back and see how we get on early season.”

The former Ashford Town which folded in 2010, last played in the Kent League more than 50 years ago, before becoming one of the founder members of the Southern League.