BERKELEY Town were delighted last week to learn of their promotion to the Northern Senior League Division One after nearly a fortnight of waiting to hear their fate.

The Hunters, who finished third in Division Two after a thrilling season, will be promoted together with title winners Bourton Rovers and second-placed Cam Bulldogs.

This gives the mouth-watering prospect for next season of close neighbours Sharpness, Berkeley and Cam all competing against each other in this highly competitive division.

It has been many years since Town last played near neighbours Sharpness in a competitive game, and this match will be one of many to look forward to as Berkeley make their second consecutive divisional jump.

The team has come a long way since nearly folding up some five years ago and player-manager Terry Stevenson takes a lot of credit for arresting their downward spiral.

Stevenson, whose heroics in goal have been as valuable as his leadership of the side in his time at the club, has now guided Town through two divisions having claimed the treble in season 2002-03, when Town won the Stroud League, the Stroud Charity Cup and the League Cup.

But with the job well done, Stevenson is now stepping down and will concentrate on the playing side of things, having cemented his place as one of Town's most valuable players throughout last season. He will be replaced as manager by Phil Osborne.

Osborne, 37, is an ex-West Ham United junior and will bring a great deal of experience to the club. A veteran centre back, he was a regular at County League side Thornbury Town before joining Berkeley early in the season. He is also the holder of an FA Coaching Badge and will be able to put his skills to good use with a team that is full of potential, enthusiasm and promising youth players.

He will also be the man who will lead Town in Division One, a prospect that would have been unimaginable to Town fans just a few short years ago.

Indeed, the promotion is another major step for the club in its astonishing rise from near-ruin. Club chairman Rob Evans cites a number of major factors behind the club's progress, including loyal sponsorship from Taylors of Woodford, a structure of committees in place to ensure smooth running of club matters and, as many rival clubs would doubtless testify, a good turnout of supporters both home and away.

Evans said: "The infrastructure is in place here for future growth at a local level. We have a structured committee within the club with responsibilities for fund raising, non-playing duties and sponsorship. Everything is in place."

He added: "Our away support has been fantastic this season and we have had loads of fans at our away games. They have helped the team to great extents."

Last week's confirmation of a place in Division One of the NSL will ensure that those fans will have a lot more to cheer about.