BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager James Webster admits he is pinching himself at the “unbelievable” prospect of his side being crowned champions.

The R’s are on the brink of lifting the Ryman League division north silverware and could sew up top spot tomorrow, if they beat Romford at North Road and second-placed Maldon and Tiptree slip up against Dereham Town.

Regent are nine points clear with four games left but have a slightly inferior goal difference to the Jammers.

“We can start dreaming about going up because we’re so close,” said an elated Webster, who has guided the club from the Essex and Suffolk Border League into the Ryman League, via the Thurlow Nunn League.

“In a way, we’re still trying to play it down but the players keep reaching the little targets we set.

“Last week we knew that if we won we’d be assured of a play-off spot.

“Now we know the lowest we’ll finish is second, so even if we completely throw it away from here we’ll have home advantage in the play-offs.

“We’re going to be runners-up at worst, but we’d be silly if we didn’t think we could go on to win it from here.

“We need four points from four games and you’d like to think we’d get over the line now.

“It’s an amazing scenario.

“If someone had offered me runners-up spot at worst this season, I wouldn’t have believed them.

“I’m shocked and it’s very difficult to comprehend.

“I’d have been delighted and celebrating if we’d finished in the play-offs, let alone finding ourselves in this position.”

Regent have four games left – at home to Romford tomorrow, away to Witham Town on Good Friday, at home to Dereham Town on April 17 and away to Cheshunt on April 22.

And while he is trying his hardest to keep his feet on the ground, Webster says it would be perfect to cement top spot in front of the club’s supporters at North Road.

It is understand league officials will be at tomorrow’s game, on hand to present the silverware if results go Regent’s way.

“It would be lovely to win it at home, in front our supporters,” said Webster.

“They’ve been absolutely amazing all season.

“We took 80-odd to Haringey Borough a couple of weekends ago and there were more than 300 here last Saturday.

“That’s incredible for a small club, especially when you consider that when I first came here 20 or so people were watching us in the Border League.

“It’s unbelievable and I have to pinch myself, when I consider where we’ve come from.

“The players have to take all the credit, for the way they’ve adapted to different levels and never looked out of place.

“It’s nice to have that continuity and we’re fortunate to have a group of players who have been with us on this journey.

“They know where the club was and can see where we’ve got to.

“The fact they’re local boys makes it even more special.”

Billy Hunt and Phil Kelly scored the goals in last week's victory against Hornchurch.