ROFFEY manager Andy Lampard believes the club is on an upward trajectory after securing promotion to the Southern Combination Football League Premier.

The club, which was founded in 1901, won Division One and earned itself a place in the new league after beating local rivals Billingshurst 3-2 on Easter Monday.

Roffey won the game with a free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal by midfielder Dan Pearce in the 88th minute of the match, in front of a crowd of 160 fans.

The Argus: From left to right, coach Gareth Neathey, coach Jack Stevens, manager Andy Lampard, assistant manager Andy HowardFrom left to right, coach Gareth Neathey, coach Jack Stevens, manager Andy Lampard, assistant manager Andy Howard

Manager Andy Lampard told The Argus: "The match was set up lovely, we had the biggest team talk we are ever going to do before the game.

"It was about putting the club in the highest position it has ever been in its 121-year history.

"Despite going behind early, but we knew we would score goals because of our quality going forward.

"We went 2-1 up before half-time but then conceded a stupid goal, and the game just sat at 2-2. That was until Pearce's free-kick, which went in and then we knew if we won the match we would win the league.

"I guess it was written in the stars, and to score late on to win the game, and it was an amazing moment in front of a lot of people for our club."

The Southern Combination Football League Premier will be the highest level of football that the club has ever played in, and Lampard is hopeful his side can continue to press on and prove that it is a club moving forward.

He said: "We are a club on an upward trajectory, lots of people in lower league football will tell you this in order to sign a player, but we are generally across the board pushing Roffey forward.

"It is an exciting time to be at the club as something is always going forward."