Panthers confident of impressing in Division Two South next season

JAMES ROBERT has backed Saffery Panthers to kick on next winter in their debut Division Two South campaign after learning of their unexpected promotion.

The Guernsey side had been due to play in next month's play-offs after finishing third in Division Three, but the withdrawal of a Division One team has seen them promoted without needing to play that tournament.

It is their first promotion, but despite being their first at a new level of competition, Panthers' joint-coach Robert says his side will be aiming for more than simply avoiding relegation in the 2017-18 campaign.

'In all honesty we know little about the teams in Division Two, but from the information we have received, it doesn't appear to be a huge jump in standard.

'Whatever the level is, it is not the coaches' or players' mindset to aim for just survival, we believe in the players, so we will be looking to push as hard as possible and see where that takes us.'

• More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.