WILMSLOW Albion will be the area’s highest-level football club next season.

This follows a dramatic conclusion to the current campaign that saw Albion and their reserves both gain promotion.

The first team will feature in the Manchester Football League Premier Division when the 2016-17 campaign gets underway in August, while the second string will kick off in Division Two.

For Albion, it will be the first term in the top flight since 2005-06 and the Oakwood Farm outfit are looking forward to the challenge.

Manager Oli Tarpey said: “I think a lot of people doubted us, thinking that we couldn’t achieve this status from where we have been in recent years, but the players, committee, and staff have proved them all wrong.

“We can’t wait for pre-season now to try and improve once more.”

Eight teams were battling for the third promotion place, after East Manchester and Elton Vale had the top two slots sewn up.

In the end, only five points separated Albion from 10th-placed Breightmet United and it made for an exciting finale to the season.

On the final Saturday, Albion needed Elton Vale to defeat Irlam Steel in order for their promotion to be confirmed.

It looked unlikely as Irlam raced into an early lead.

However, two late second-half goals from Vale turned it around in the favour of the Wilmslow club.

Albion’s four wins in their last five games, including a victory at Heywood St James for the first time in more than 20 years, proved vital.

And with Styal being relegated from the Cheshire League Premier Division, it leaves Wilmslow Albion as the leading local side next term.

Wilmslow Albion’s reserves defeated Irlam Steel 3-0 in their final game to secure their promotion in record-breaking form.

Goals from leading scorer James Wedd, vice captain Nick Chapman, and Jason Eme clinched the points to take the side into Division Two for the first time in more than 12 years.

It was the 12th win in an unbeaten run of 13 games and enough to see the team win promotion on goal difference from Royton Town A.

Strong defence was a feature of both teams’ performances across the season.

Albion’s pre-season campaign starts on Saturday, July 2, at Oakwood farm when new players will be made welcome.

Wilmslow are looking to secure sponsors for the new season. Contact wilmslowalbionfc@hotmail.co.uk