Barry Town United players took time out from promotion celebrations to gather in a circle on the Jenner Park pitch.
The message was clear: “Now we go for the title.”
Barry had just beaten Goytre United 3-0 to guarantee a top two finish and they will make the step back up to Welsh Premier League football, but they are also determined to finish their season in style.
They play Cambrian and Clydach away on Saturday (2.30pm) and complete their fixtures against Ton Pentre at Jenner Park a week later.
“It’s great earning promotion and now we want to win the title,” said Damon Searle, a former Cardiff City defender who won a League title as a player with the Bluebirds and is now a Barry coach.
“We got together in a circle on the pitch, coaching staff and players, saying we can enjoy promotion, but we have another two matches. We want to be champions, we want to win the league title.
“It’s a great feeling to finish first.”
Searle works closely with Barry manager Gavin Chesterfield and they have led the team from Welsh League Division Three back to the top flight.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “We suffered a roller coaster ride, going down a few divisions before back-to-back promotions. Now we are in the Welsh Premier again and that feels good.
“Our aim was to get back, everybody stuck together – players, fans, management. Everybody who has been involved in any way.
“It’s testament to the fans who have turned out and supported their club. They have helped every step of the way.”
Welsh League Division One
Top five only – all teams play 30 fixtures
Pl GD Pts
1 Barry Town United 28 +44 60
2 Goytre FC 27 +29 52
3 Haverfordwest County 28 +8 51
4 Penybont 26 +22 49
5 Cwmbran Celtic 29 +11 45
Remaining Welsh League Division On fixtures:
April
Friday 21: Port Talbot v Haverfordwest County.
Saturday 22: Caerau Ely v Ton Pentre, Cambrian and Clydach v Barry Town United, Goytre United v Afan Lido, Monmouth Town v Risca United, Penybont v Goytre FC, Taffs Well v Cwmbran Celtic.
Tuesday 25: Goytre United v Penybont.
Saturday 29: Barry Town United v Ton Pentre, Goytre FC v Port Talbot Town, Goytre United v Caldicot Town, Haverfordwest County v Undy Athletic, Taffs Well v Penybont.
May
Saturday 6: Caerau Ely v Taffs Well, Cambrian and Clydach v Goytre FC, Ton Pentre v Port Talbot Town.