Evergreen Chatham man Matt Bodkin doesn’t intend to hang his boots up just yet.

Bodkin “almost thought I’d be semi-retired” when Chats returned to the Isthmian League. But he racked up the appearances and played his part in Chatham’s title-winning campaign as they secured back-to-back promotions.

The 39-year-old doesn’t plan to call it quits, either.

He said: “Weirdly, there’s always that part of you that thinks you have still got it. So as long as my body can still move, I will keep trying.”

Bodkin played his part in those appearances, mainly from full-back, as he contributed four goals - including a crucial second in a 2-1 home win over Cray Valley which saw them crowned champions.

He said: “From moving up a level from last year, I almost thought I’d be semi-retired, if that makes sense.

“But things just happened this year where it seemed to work in my favour. Obviously when I came in and did quite well, the ball just kept rolling for me.”

Having been promoted from the Southern Counties East Premier Division alongside Sheppey when the pair dominated in 2021/22, there was always a belief both could immediately challenge for the play-offs. But Chatham defied even those lofty expectations.

Bodkin said: “There was an element of belief in the group that we could be around the play-offs or something.

“To actually win the league, I don’t think anyone thought about that at the start. But as the season progressed, we really realised it was a possibility.”

Another crowd in excess of 2,000 were at the Bauvill Stadium for the title celebrations.

Bodkin noted: “Our support seems to be growing in numbers, which is fantastic because it shows the progression of this club. Everybody can notice at this moment that the club is moving forward.”

Bodkin is no stranger to Isthmian League glory having played his part in successive Maidstone United promotions.

On collecting another winner’s medal, he said: “It’s difficult to put it into words, to be fair, because it’s been a long, hard season. But these moments are always so special. You need to embrace them.”

Now, Chats can begin preparing for Step 3 football. It’s a challenge Bodkin thinks they are ready for.

“There is a natural step the club will need to sort of take, but it’s definitely within our realms to go and compete in that league,” he suggested.