Verwood Town boss Adie Arnold insists his Wessex One heroes can make the grade at Premier Division level.

Potters claimed the championship without kicking a ball on Tuesday night when nearest rivals AFC Portchester failed to stay in the title race.

Portchester’s 3-3 draw at United Services Portsmouth meant they could no longer catch leaders Verwood during the run-in.

Arnold’s men – who earned the crown following a run of seven consecutive wins – can now relax ahead of their final game of the season at Petersfield Town on April 28.

Manager Arnold is already planning for next term and he is confident Potters’ promotion winners are good enough to handle the step up.

He told the Daily Echo: “I was out watching Hamworthy against Downton on Tuesday night when I learned we had won the league.

“I am already looking at teams and I am already thinking about next season.

“All of our lads are good enough to play Premier football – I believe that.

“From what I have seen watching other teams, my players are good enough.”

Arnold admitted he was relieved to avoid a final-day shoot-out for the title.

He said: “I am really pleased it did not go to the last game. We can just go and enjoy it now.

“It would have been nice to have won it on the pitch in a way. But it has been a long season and we can go to Petersfield now, as a club, and really enjoy it.”

Portchester had won 11 consecutive games prior to dropping points on Tuesday – but Verwood resisted their charge by claiming seven straight victories and five clean sheets in a row.

Arnold believes his team deserved to win the league.

He added: “We have lost the fewest number of games, we have got the best defensive record and we have led for a long time.

“With the run Portchester put together, there was pressure on our lads and I think they responded to it tremendously.

“To win seven games on the bounce, when someone is chasing like Portchester, tells you a lot about our side.

“There was a lot of pressure on us – being top for so long – and we had to keep grinding out positive results.

“In the past five games, we have kept five clean sheets, and that says it all.

“We deserve it. The lads have been tremendous this season.”