VICE-chairman Steve Jefferis is convinced Verwood Town will hold their own in Wessex Premier after their promotion was rubber stamped this week.

Verwood’s Potterne Park headquarters was given the green light to stage step five football following a successful ground-grading inspection on Wednesday.

The Potters were made to wait briefly after guaranteeing a place in the top two of Wessex One thanks to a 3-0 home win over Pewsey Vale six days ago.

Jefferis told the Daily Echo: “We had a visit from the ground-grading committee towards the end of February and they gave us a list of things we had to do to comply.

“It was quite an extensive list but, with a lot of hard work from our committee members and helpers, we managed to achieve everything.

“The Wessex League came back on Wednesday and said everything that needed to be done had been and were very impressed.

“It has cost us a considerable sum of money but has all been worth it. It was a relief to get the ground approved after we had secured a top-two place.

“I genuinely think the club is getting bigger and growing. We are attracting more supporters and businesses are keen to sponsor us.

“We have played a number of games against teams from the Wessex Premier in cup competitions over the past few years and know it is a good level. We know it will be hard but we also know we are capable of holding our own.”

Verwood, who visit Stockbridge tomorrow (3pm), complete their home fixtures against Amesbury Town on Easter Monday (3pm).

Jefferis added: “We have been in pole position since just after Christmas and it has been tough because there has been no let up from the other teams at the top.

“We are delighted to be up but it would put the icing on the cake if we could win the title.”

Potters: (from) Lynch, Evans, Delaney, Anderton, Dyer, Webb, Gajic, Wrixton, Homer, Haskell, Dear, Shepherd, Rose, Rhodes.