THAME United are celebrating their return to the Evo-Stik Southern League after a remarkable climax to the Uhlsport Hellenic League campaign.

Going into the final day, Bracknell Town were favourites to take the Premier Division title – they had the same number of points as Thame but with a better goal difference of seven.

At half-time in their games, Thame were 6-0 up away to Henley Town, while Bracknell led Highworth 1-0.

“We were in touch with what was happening at Bracknell” said Thame manager Mark West.

“Seeing our half-time scoreline, Bracknell must have realised we would score several more goals in the second half and it probably put them under pressure.”

In the event, while Thame went on to win 9-0, Bracknell were beaten 2-1, so goal difference did not come into the equation.

However, West and his team had to delay their celebrations.

“The league shield was at Bracknell, so we had to wait an hour for the presentations,” explained West. “But it was definitely worth the wait.”

It secured Thame a return to the Southern League for the first time since 2005, when the club were hit by financial problems.

West said: “Who knows how we will fare nexts season. If we can keep our current players (including 50-goal striker Lynton Goss) and recruit a few more, we should OK.

“Kidlington took this route last year and have done brilliantly in Division 1 Central.”

Thame do not know whether the will be in Division 1 South & West or Division 1 Central. “We’d like to be in the same division as Kidlington,” said West.