BUZZING Gareth Horner confessed Amesbury Town's nailbiting chase for promotion made him scan the Sydenhams Wessex League website "six times a day without fail".

The Blues manager has kept firm tabs on the Division One league table, teams and statistics towards the business end of the season.

For many months, the Bonnymead Park outfit were chasing the title but were beaten to it by eventual champions Portland United.

Coincidentally, Blues registered a 3-1 victory over Gary Bailey's side in their penultimate league fixture on Wednesday night to secure runners-up spot and promotion to the Premier Division.

It came as a welcome return for Horner after his charges narrowly missed out on promotion last season, finishing fourth.

He told JournalSport: "This feels special!"

"I was involved with the club when they won the Hampshire Premier League 17 years ago and should have been promoted then but for one reason or another it didn’t happen."

"What a group of players Jim and I have assembled this year though, the changing room is a great place to be and the work and dedication over the last ten months has been exceptional.

"You have to remember we have no budget and no reserve side. It’s a massive achievement for the club.

"We have added quality to the squad when we needed to this year and that was the difference to last year.

"I would get messages from the players at silly times in the morning telling me how close we were and how many points were needed.

"Little did they know that as much we played it down and tried to keep them focused Jim (Macey) and I were constantly talking about it.

"I used to look at the Wessex league website six times a day without fail - that’s how much it means!"

Horner joined Blues as a player in 1998 and took over as manager in December 2012.

He is on the committee alongside dad, Nick Horner, who is the director of football.

He also worked closely alongside vice life president, Tom Yeo, who died a fortnight ago.

Those are the people Horner has dedicated his club's promotion success to.

"The committee has been a fantastic support this year," he added.

"Without them we would have been nowhere, they work tirelessly for the club and we can't forget those that have been with us before. There are plenty of people who have put the club where it is today.

"A special mention to Tom Yeo who we sadly lost a fortnight ago, he would be immensely proud of the club and of course our president Sammy Dunford.

"This promotion is for those people, the players, our sponsors, who are phenomenal, and of course our supporters.

"I'm sure they cannot wait to visit some of the clubs next year, it's going to be a real culture change.

"Jim and I would also like to thank my old man, he's been ever present this year and a real support, and every club could do with one of him."

Horner, who is a partner at solicitor firm Barker Son and Isherwood, says he's now looking forward to a much-needed rest over the summer, where he can relax and spend time with his family before planning life at step five.