REECE Grant believes Braintree Town will "stir up some noise" in the Vanarama National League next season.

The Iron's goal hero of their National League South play-off final win at Hampton and Richmond Borough is confident that their players can make an impact among some big clubs when they join them in the top flight.

It was Grant's goal that cancelled out an early strike from the hosts in the play-off showdown and ensured the game would head into a penalty shootout that Braintree won 4-3 to realise their promotion dreams.

It marks a quickfire return to the National League for the Iron just 12 months after they were relegated from it and Grant is confident that they can blossom further at the higher level.

He said: “We are a great bunch of lads – we all work hard for each other and are technically very good.

“If we can stick together then I think we can achieve some great things.

“We are young as our average age is only about 22 so you can only imagine what a couple of years together will do for us.

“If we can stay together then I think we can stir some noise up in the National League.

“It’s exciting for us.

“There are big teams in there but we don’t fear anyone.

“We have played some big teams in the league we’ve been in and we’ve come through some tests so I believe we can do it in the league above.

“The club know what it takes to have success up there.

“They came down last year, but we’ve catapulted them straight back up and that’s a great achievement.

“The club believe in us and I know we’ll have a great go at it next year."

It has been a season with ups and downs for Grant.

After suffering a broken cheekbone in pre-season, he missed the early part as he built his fitness, but the striker ensured he became an integral part of boss Brad Quinton's plans by the end of the campaign.

Key goals in crunch games have become Grant's hallmark in the latter stages and he has been delighted to repay the faith placed in him by the Iron's management team.

“When I came in, Brad had sat down with me and told me his ambition and what he wanted to achieve," said Grant.

“I bought into it – we all bought into it – and it has stuck.

“Look where we are now.

“We have all put in the hard work, we all listened to the Gaffer and we’re in the National League now.

“I’m very proud of myself as I’ve had knock backs with things like the broken cheek I picked up in pre-season last year that kept me out at the start of the season.

“I had to work my way in, get myself fit and prove my worth if I’m honest.

“When I did, I showed to the boys and the Gaffer that I was ready and I felt I stepped up when I was called upon.

“It’s a great achievement and, personally, a great ending after how the season started.

“It was the best feeling to come off the pitch knowing that we’d won the game and seeing what it meant to everyone – the fans, the manager, the players.

“It’s a great achievement and one that’s difficult to put into words if I’m honest.

“I don’t think that feeling will go away for a while."