CAPTAIN Kelly Newton insists Lewes Ladies can defy the odds to reach the Super League.

Newton has helped the Rookettes achieve three promotions to move to within touching distance of the top-flight since joining from Albion 12 years ago.

The club have already consolidated their position alongside the likes of Tottenham. Cardiff City and West Ham since reaching the FA Women’s Premier League south four years ago.

Newton admits Lewes’s rise has been extraordinary since she initially agreed to play “a few games” for them in the South East Counties league back in 2003.

But the midfielder is adamant the club can go one step further by gaining a place in the Super League within the next four years.

Newton said: “If Jacqui (Agnew, head of ladies football) had said to me when I signed that we would be playing in the Premier League now I would have laughed in her face as it would have been ridiculous.

“It was so far away back then but when the people who run the club say they are going to do something they put everything in to achieving it. Now if someone says we can make the Super League I believe them.

“How long it takes is a bit fuzzy because of the whole issue surrounding promotion to the Super League.

“The winners of our league will play off with the northern champions this year but after that the FA weren’t giving the option of promotion until 2018.

“We are leading the campaign to turn that decision around because it is important to have promotion and relegation to give clubs like ourselves something to aim for.

“It will be difficult for us because we are not attached to a big men’s club like a lot of the other teams but there is something quirky about Lewes and the way the club is able to keep progressing.

“I’m 35 so it probably won’t happen until I’ve hung up my boots but I don’t see why we can’t reach the Super League in four years or so.”

The target this season for Lewes is to improve on last year’s seventh place finish and they made an encouraging start with a 4-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in their opening game at the Dripping Pan last Sunday.

Debutant Charlie Carter and Newton gave the Rooks a 2-0 lead early in the second half and although Kayleigh Brown pulled one back, a late brace from Cherelle Khassal wrapped up a convincing win.

The Rookettes face a sterner test this Sunday when they travel to Cardiff City who topped the table for part of last season before fading to fourth place.

Newton added: “It was really pleasing to start with such a good win as you never quite know what to expect in your first game.

“We dominated the game and showed we have got more goals in the team this season which was an issue last year.

“Cardiff lost to defending champions Portsmouth last week but they are always up near the top of the table challenging so it will be a good test to see exactly where we are.

“We didn’t take any points off the top teams last season so that is one area we are targetting this year.

“I don’t believe the likes of Cardiff are much better than us so we feel like we can go there and get something.”