Martin Longworth confirms Hartpury University FC wants to earn promotion to the Hellenic League Premier after narrowly missing out last season to Pershore Town and Milton United.
Hartpury were penalty kicks away from earning promotion from the Hellenic League Division One last season but fell to defeat against Milton.
Longworth and his team made it no secret that the club wants to go one step further this season and earn that promotion.
“Promotion is what we want this year.
“It is obviously our goal; we made no secrets with that.
“We were penalties away last year and Pershore deserved to win the league,” Longworth said.
Not only does the club want to earn that deserved promotion but they also want to become the highest-ranked educational institution in the football league system.
Loughborough University has held that accolade for many years playing at step five of the football pyramid which is somewhere Longworth wants to take Hartpury.
“We set ourselves a goal to be the highest placed higher education institution in the National League system.
“Loughborough have had that tag for many years now, but we have nothing but admiration for what they have done.
“it would mean a lot to us, particularly giving young players and staff members to represent something they care about,” he said.
What would make this all special however, is the fact that Hartpury would achieve all this with one of the youngest squads in the league made up almost entirely of students.
The organisation set out early doors to become successful with current students or young players and also gift them the chance to play in the National League system.
“When we started the club, our goal was to develop players and give players the opportunity in the National League system.
“We realised very early on that, even with such young players, we were competing well at a high level.
“We have lads represented England Colleges, England Universities, England Schools so the accolades they get away from us is amazing as well,” Longworth said.
He added: “Laiith Fairnie signed a professional contract at Birmingham City in the summer after playing two seasons with me.”
Hartpury has built something special and have made themselves not only favourites to be promoted but to also be promoted as champions.
