BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager James Webster plans to do everything possible to keep his title-winning squad together.

The R’s are celebrating after winning the Ryman League division north championship on Saturday.

Their 4-1 romp against Romford – allied to rivals Maldon and Tiptree being held to a draw against Dereham Town – means they have an unassailable lead at the summit and wrapped up the title before Easter.

They still have three games left – at Witham Town on Good Friday, at home to Dereham Town on Monday and then away to Cheshunt on April 22.

And while Webster is determined to finish strongly and crack the 100-point milestone – they currently have 96 – he admits he is already looking ahead to the 2017/18 campaign.

And he knows it would be naïve not to expect his players to have turned heads during the season – and is therefore expecting offers from elsewhere.

“All the existing players will be given the opportunity to stay and test themselves at the next level,” he said.

“I’d love it if they did and they certainly deserve that chance, having done so well this year.

“I’m hoping to keep the group together, because we’ve got so many talented young players. Most are under the age of 24.

“They’re only going to get better.

“Having said that, because they’ve had such fantastic seasons, I’m sure other clubs will have been watching them and some will get offers to move elsewhere.

“That’s just the way football works and people move on.

“If a bigger and better opportunity comes along, I’m not going to stand in anyone’s way.

“I’d like to switch my phone off and have a break in the summer, because it’s a long, hard and tiring season.

“However, if you turn your back, there’s always a chance someone else will be in touch with your players.

“I think it’s going to be an ongoing thing and it’s important to keep our finger on the pulse in terms of building for next season.”

Webster, who has guided Regent up from the Essex and Suffolk Border League, via both Thurlow Nunn League divisions, would also like to top his squad up by bringing a couple of new signings to North Road.

“I haven’t identified any targets yet, but I’d like to add one or two – ideally players with premier division experience,” he said.

“But even if we don’t make any signings, I’d still be confident that this group could hold its own.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s going to be very tough.

“Sudbury went up as division north champions last season and now they’re fighting relegation.

“That gives you a yardstick of how big a step up it is.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet and we’re pinching ourselves at the prospect of being mentioned in the same breath as huge non-league clubs like Dulwich Hamlet and Havant and Waterlooville.

“It’s not that long ago we weren’t even playing at semi-professional level in the Border League.

“But we’re excited about that challenge and plan to enjoy every moment.

"We’ll do our very best to give a good account of ourselves.

“We know we won’t win as many games as last season but we’ll certainly celebrate every point.”