DARREN Perrin has his sights set on leading Melksham Town into the Southern League after securing his club the first Toolstation League Premier Division title in their history.

Melksham successfully applied for promotion to step eight of the English league system and, after sealing their league crown, the Conigre club would have been looking forward to plying their trade in the Evo-Stik League Southern Division One South & West next season but for a cruel twist of fate.

A colony of protected newts inhabiting the site of Melksham’s proposed Woolmore Farm ground, which would have met Southern League standards, delayed construction, putting paid to the club’s promotion hopes.

But Perrin, who is refusing to let that obstruction blight a memorable title-winning season, is committed to finishing what he started and taking his club up.

“Getting into the Southern League is the aim. That’s what I want to do,” said the Melksham manager, who led his team to theToolstation League First Division crown in the 1996-1997 season during his first spell in charge at the Conigre.

“The only tinge of disappointment this season was that we won’t be promoted but it doesn’t take away from the achievement of winning the league and we want to make sure we get there within the next few years.”

Melksham got their hands on the Premier Division trophy last weekend with a 2-1 victory at Willand Rovers in their final game of the season.

Winning the title sparked a flurry of emotions down in Devon and Perrin was left with little doubt that his troops were deserved champions.

“We’ve done it the right way. We had to play our last eight games away from home and we had to play the top six sides in there too – we didn’t lose any of them,” said the Melksham boss.

“I was just so happy for everyone connected with Melksham Town Football Club. I was delighted for the chairman (Dave Wiltshire) and people like my dad (Mick, former chairman).

“There were tears at the end of the game. Myself, some of the older supporters, and a few of the players were crying.

“I know that some people will say that I’ve done really well this season but it’s really all down to the players.

“They’ve played almost 40 games this year and they’ve only lost six of them. They’ve been absolutely magnificent and deserve all the credit.”

l More reaction to Melksham’s superb title win: Page 95