Planning for next year is well underway as the Celts look to their first season in the country's fifth division with tingling anticipation.

Promotion to the full Conf-erence came as a surprise to some but everyone at Throstle Nest have become accustomed to success in recent seasons.

Chairman Andy Firbank is hoping the club keeps on over-achieving but remains firmly grounded.

"We have been written off by the bookies already for our first season in the Conference and that suits us," he said.

"We are used to that kind of reaction. It is true we are rank outsiders but we don't look at it that way.

"We are not going in there to struggle all season and end up in the relegation zone. There were a lot of people that said we wouldn't live with the teams in the Conference North.

"We did a little better than just consolidate in that division. We beat a full-time outfit twice in the play-offs before winning the final against Hinckley United.

"The coming season will be a big imponderable but then so have the last two been in their own way.

"We are breaking new ground all the time but hopefully we will continue to get the balance right on and off the pitch.

"We have another board meeting tonight and we have come up with an increased budget for the playing side.

"We are not going full-time. We have no delusions of grandeur and we will continue to back our manager as much as possible while ensuring the club remains on a financially sound footing.

"There are still improvements to be made but we will continue to ensure they are reached along the way."