Corinthian have been voted into the Bulmers Cider Kent League Premier Division.

The Fawkham-based club, who dropped out of the top flight 11 years ago, effectively returned to the league last season under the guise of Welling reserves in Division 2.

Corinthian could not return under their own name because they had dropped down to junior status and, under the arrangement, Welling used Corinthian’s Gay Dawn Farm ground for training.

But, with the Premier Division having been reduced to just 15 clubs for the coming season following the late resignation of Slade Green, the league clubs agreed a late change to the constitution.

In two separate votes, they allowed the side that were Welling reserves to change their name to Corinthian, and then backed a move to switch Corinthian from Division 2 to the Premier Division.

The meeting heard that the move had the full support and agreement of the Football Association.

Kent League chairman Denise Richmond, pictured, said: "I’m delighted to welcome back Corinthian, initially to our league but also to our Premier Division.

"Our clubs passed both votes at the EGM, underlining their support of both the name change and the movement within the league."

Although the Premier Division gets under way this weekend Corinthian, who also run five sides in the Kent Youth League, will not have a fixture. They are expected to start their programme at Beckenham on August 22.