CHAIRMAN Robyn Maggs said it felt like “ironic justice” as Winterbourne United celebrated promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division this week.

Two-time champions of Division One West, Winterbourne have never been able to progress further as their Parkside Avenue ground did not have the required facilities, but James Mainstone’s last minute winner at Wootton Bassett Town on Monday secured the third place finish they needed to go up in their first season since moving to Oaklands Park.

Although their promotion is subject to confirmation, Winterbourne have already been told a top three spot would be enough if they have the facilities as second-placed Old Woodstock Town’s ground is not up to standard, while runaway champions Tytherington Rocks are also unlikely to go up.

Winterbourne moved to Gloucestershire FA headquarters following a controversial dispute between the landlords and former tenants Almondsbury Town, whose first team disbanded as a result after one season in the Southern League.

However, after experiencing major disappointments of their own in the past, Maggs feels Winterbourne were due some luck.

He said: “It is ironic justice if you like. We’ve won it twice and couldn’t go anywhere, but come third and we can. It’s not an ideal situation but we will take it.

“We’re not up yet, it’s got to be rubber-stamped, but our facilities are first class.”

It has certainly been a rollercoaster season for Winterbourne, who have had three different managers.

Former Liverpool defender Nick Tanner resigned after they lost the first three games heavily, and although results improved under Chris Marsh, he was unable to commit fully to the job and assistant boss David Wilson was handed the reins midway through the campaign.

“I said to him I didn’t want to have a new manager every month,” said Maggs.

“We didn’t know what would happen because he’s not managed at this level before, but he knew the players, and Jack Pitcher joined us and galvanised our season.”

Pitcher has scored 15 goals and has also assisted Wilson at training as Winterbourne surged up the league, and Maggs is hoping he will stay at the club.

“It is a league or two below his ability, but he wasn’t enjoying it at Chippenham and decided to go back to where it all started,” said Maggs.

“We are lucky to have him and hopefully he’ll be with us for the next few years.”

Winterbourne travelled to Wootton Bassett knowing that victory would be enough for them to finish third, despite their 2-0 defeat at home to Brimscombe and Thrupp on Saturday.

In a dramatic second half, Pitcher gave them a 58th minute lead, but there was a long delay after Winterbourne man Sam Vile broke his leg.

Matt Brown equalised from the penalty spot for Wootton on 82 minutes, but Winterbourne were awarded a penalty of their own when Pitcher was through on goal and brought down by goalkeeper Pete Doolan, who was sent off.

Outfield player Richie Carter went in goal, but he saved Pitcher’s penalty before Mainstone ran onto a long ball and slid it past the stand-in keeper with virtually the last kick of the game.

Maggs added: “The tension was horrible but we came through it and I’m so pleased for them.”