PORTLAND United defender Ashley Smith couldn’t hide his joy after they were crowned champions of the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division.

The Blues were handed the title on Wednesday after Moneyfields’ appeal against a three-point deduction was rejected, allowing the Blues to leapfrog the leaders.

Speaking of the achievement, Smith said: “All the lads are delighted. With the run that we’ve had since October, there has certainly been a championship-winning feeling to it.

“We were massively frustrated that we didn’t get to win the title on Saturday because there was big crowd up at Grove Corner, and with the manner that we won the game, it made it exciting an exciting afternoon.

“All of the lads were on a WhatsApp chat from about 7am (on Wednesday). We were getting worried because of how long it took to make the decision, but it was indescribable when we found out.”

Smith was quick to praise the impact of manager Gary Bailey, saying that he has been at the centre of the club’s success.

He said: “With the new lads that have come in, our squad has just got better and has more depth, so to go on and win this league in our first year is pretty good going.

“Gary has been the nucleus behind our team for several seasons. His commitment to the club is second to none and, with the addition of the lads from Bridport, it made the squad pretty much as good as it can be.

“None of the lads get paid to play, we play because we want to do it for each other and it makes it feel better. We don’t do it because we’re earning extra cash on a Saturday, it’s a cliché but we’re like a football family, especially those who have been here for seven or eight seasons.”

The achievement will certainly live long in the memory of those involved with the club, and Smith said that although the side are not in a position to be promoted, he hopes the title win can be a platform for more success next season.

He said: “Saturday was the best experience I’ve had at the club. The fans that have been coming out in numbers have created a great atmosphere. My phone and social media has been going crazy because people have been ecstatic. People were close to tears on Saturday because we realised just how important a goal that was and I’ve never heard a cheer as loud as that at Grove Corner.

“I think more people will come and watch us next year because. as the season has gone on, our attendances have got higher.

“Next year if we keep the same squad, hopefully we can retain the title and we’re looking forward to playing in the FA Cup next year. Quite a lot of us haven’t played in it before, so if we can get a cup run going that’d be great.

“We just need to maintain the standards we’ve set, and there’s no reason why we can’t achieve the same next year.”