Relieved Heybridge Swifts manager Jody Brown has hailed the achievements of his young squad – and promised that the club will not be involved in another relegation scrap next season.

Swifts dodged the drop from Ryman League division north thanks to a dramatic final-day 2-0 victory at home to Phoenix Sports, on Saturday.

It left them safely placed in 20th spot, four points above third-from-bottom Wroxham.

Brown admits it would have been “disastrous” if Swifts had slid through the trapdoor into the Essex Senior League.

However, having inspired survival, he is now adamant the club can kick on and avoid being in a similarly precarious position this time next year.

“Had we been relegated, I would have considered it a huge failure on my part,” he said.

“I’m not sure how I’d have reacted, to be honest.

“But staying up is a great achievement from such a young group of players – young in terms of age but also given that even those who have been on the non-league circuit a few years hadn’t played at Ryman League level.

“I could see from looking at their faces after the game that they didn’t realise what they’d achieved.

“They have been playing under pressure in every game.

“They fought their way off the bottom of the table and were in a relegation scrap from the start.

“That’s tough for anyone but they’re a talented group of boys and if they can achieve what they’ve achieved in those circumstances, imagine what they can do with a bit of freedom and the opportunity to express themselves?

“They’ve showed what they’re capable of in some of our cup games, when they’ve produced their best performances because they haven’t been under that pressure.”

Brown is now looking forward to sitting down with the club’s board and discussing the future, including next season’s playing budget.

It was halved during the season just gone, which led to a huge turnover of players departing and then being replaced.

Brown wants to check the club share his ambitions and aspirations – but feels confident all parties are on the same page.

“We need to get round a table, make some decisions and map out the best way forward,” he said.

“Hopefully what’s happened will galvanise and refresh everyone and now is the time to kick on and maybe take a few risks, as far as I’m concerned.

“I want to use this positivity and be pro-active, to ensure we don’t move backwards.

“I and the players need to know the club share these aspirations and I’m pretty sure they do feel the same way.

“I want it to act as a springboard rather than an anchor.

“I’ve got an idea of who I’d like to add and I’m looking forward to cracking on and building a squad that I can guarantee won’t be involved in a relegation scrap next season.

“How far we can go I don’t know, because by and large football is dictated by money and resources.

“However, with the lessons we’ve learned this season and the experiences we’ve gained, I’m happy to say on record that there’s no way we’ll be struggling at the bottom of the table.

“This group have shown they’re capable of some big performances and we’ll play without any fear next season.

“There’s absolutely no way we’ll be anywhere near the bottom three.”

Swifts finished their season on a high note, with a 3-1 victory against Hullbridge Sports in the Tolleshunt D’Arcy Cup final.

Matt Pooley, Jack Barham and Tyrone Alleyne were on target for Brown’s side.