IT'S official - Salisbury have been placed in the Evo-Stick Southern League Division One South and West for the 2016/17 season.

Whites were placed in step four of the National League System by the FA after winning the Sydenhams Wessex Premier, finishing on 105 points.

They will be joined by fellow phoenix club Hereford, who won Midland Football League Premier Division.

Both clubs were involved in an historic FA Vase semi-final, with the two legs attracting more than 8,000 people.

The Bulls prevailed 3-1 on aggregate and booked their place in the final at Wembley, which takes place a week on Sunday.

But boss Steve Claridge says he's excited about avenging that defeat in the two league games.

"It's really exciting," said Claridge.

"Both of us being in the same league will really add spice to the season. We've got to be the two biggest supported clubs at Step 4."

"This is going to be a strong league, probably the strongest South and West Division in Southern League history when you look at the list of teams."

It's a division Claridge knows well. In 2012, the striker hit an extra time winner in the play-off final for Gosport Borough over Poole Town.

That marked an end of Claridge's senior career.

He added: "I played in it with Gosport Borough and they went up. We're better than that team, I reckon, but we will need to be even better if we are going to be competitive in this one."

"I'm really looking forward to it and I hope everyone else is too and gets behind us again like they did this season."

Whites will also have local trips to AFC Totton, Swindon Supermarine, Wimborne Town and Winchester City.

Clubs new to the division, which was one by Cinderford Town last season, include Barnstaple Town, promoted from the Toolstation Western League, and Bideford and Paulton Rovers, both relegated from the Southern Premier.

While cup competitions are concerned, Whites will be placed in the FA Trophy and FA Cup.

Division in full:

AFC Totton

Barnstaple Town

Bideford

Bishop's Cleeve

Bridgwater Town

Didcot Town

Evesham Utd

Hereford FC

Larkhall Athletic

Mangotsfield Utd

North Leigh

Paulton Rovers

Salisbury FC

Shortwood Utd

Slimbridge

Swindon Supermarine

Taunton Town

Tiverton Town

Wantage Town

Wimborne Town

Winchester City

Yate Town