KINGTON Town’s five-year plan under ambitious boss Shaun Harris has yielded its first success - and first silverware.

The switch from the Herefordshire League to the West Midlands (Regional) League has seen Kington land the Division 2 crown at the first time of asking.

After losing three of their opening five games, they suffered only one more defeat, and last Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at?Worcester Olympic, with goals from Aaron Hodge (2) and Ricky Dyer, clinched their first title since they were WML?Premier Division champions in 1999.

They finished with a 2-2 draw at Oakengates on Saturday - Joe Mayglothing and Aaron Hodge netting - and Harris, a 32-year-old self-employed sports coach who joined from Pegasus Juniors in 2013, said: “The plan is to try and get the club back into the West Midlands League Premier Division in five years.

"The first year stabilised things and this season has been a great effort.”

The collective triumph of a six-month, 23-match unbeaten run was built on many personal highs, from goalkeeper Zeke Vivian, a mature head on teenage shoulders, through to one-time left-winger Jordan Cooper, who became a polished presence at left-back.

Brothers Aaron (21 goals) and Dale Hodge (nine goals) grabbed most of the headlines after arriving from AFC Ludlow, and ex-Leominster striker Daniel Stack bagged 11, but Harris admits the progress of the club’s local contingent was a key factor.

Brian and Ricky Dyer were huge influences, skipper Paul Morgan led by example, Joe Mayglothing, with a 100 per cent record from the penalty spot, was a versatile cog in an increasingly well-oiled machine and others like Nick Evans, Nick Layton, Marco Parry, Russ Jones and Matt Price stepped up to the plate.

Harris, assisted by Darren Jones, added: “I said from day one?I wanted local lads involved and the growth of some of them has been phenomenal.

"Moving up brought the best out of them but I think we can still improve.”

Kington recorded 10-1 and 9-3 wins, but their best performance was a 5-0 demolition of leaders Darlaston as their form sparked an upturn in crowds at their improved Mill Street headquarters.