GREAT Wakering Rovers manager Iain O’Connell says he is already thinking about next season after his team completed a memorable campaign by completing the league and cup double.

Having wrapped up the Essex Senior League title last week, Wakering were looking to add further gloss to their year by scooping the Errington Challenge Cup.

A Neil Richmond goal was enough to defeat Sawbridgeworth Town 1-0 at Waltham Abbey’s ground on Bank Holiday Monday.

And O’Connell said he was very proud of all his team had achieved since their relegation from the Isthmian North 12 months ago.

“It is brilliant,” said O’Connell. “The boys did so well on Monday and I must admit I had my doubts ahead of the game.

“I know a few of the boys went out at the weekend and, in honesty, I wasn’t expecting much but we played very well, especially in the second half.

“Their goalkeeper was named man of the match and that says a lot. Our keeper, Louis Hawes, had one save to make and Neil Richmond was unlucky not to score four goals.

“There were brilliant performances all over the pitch. Steve Butterworth was tremendous and the defence was as solid as it has been for the whole of this season.

“We have only let in 29 goals in the league and Scott [Pethers] was Captain Fantastic once again.

“It was lovely to do the double and I wanted to win this. The competition was named after Robert Errington last summer and he is a good friend of the club so it was nice to be the first name on the trophy.”

But O’Connell will not be having much of a break as he bids to guide his team on a better run in the Isthmian North next term.

Wakering finished bottom in 2016/17 with just 25 points from 46 matches and conceded 121 goals.

And O’Connell said, while his squad has been excellent this season, changes need to be made.

“Preparations begin now,” said O’Connell, who is heading to Mallorca with his management team and several players later this month. “It will be nice to have a little break but I am thinking about what needs to happen next year.

“I want all the boys to stay and then I want to grow from there. We do need to change a little bit.

“But I have no doubt the squad is stronger than we had last year. Guys like Danny Hurford, Sam Carter and Kiah Froud have been brilliant for us.

“I also want to congratulate Basildon United [who also won promotion]. They have done brilliantly and I look forward to facing them next season.”