First formed under the name EMAP back in 1999, the club finally ended its nine-year journey from the bottom to the very top of the Sunday game when Sean Hamill's side were named in the Premier Division for the 2008-09 season.

And while last term's Division One runners-up are relishing the chance to take on the likes of Racing 252, Lord Westwood and Netherton after their promotion was confirmed at the league's annual meeting yesterday, Hamill revealed his side has hit the top a year earlier than planned.

"We are all obviously delighted that we will be playing in the Premier Division," he said.

"These lads have been with me since I took over seven years ago and I know they have earned it. And we have got there playing some good football.

"But, that said, in an ideal world we may have timed our promotion for the season after as I feel we would have benefited from having one more year in Division One.

"There are some really good sides up and we may struggle against some but we are there now and we cannot wait to get started."

Bauer will be joined in the top flight by Division One champions Limetree, New Shoes and Royal Mail after the withdrawal of Lord Burghley and last season's league and cup winners Jubilee North End in what has shaped up to be a highly competitive league.

But despite the depth of competition provided by these teams as well as the established Premier Division big hitters, Bauer assistant boss Mick Belson feels his side can cope – after a few minor tweaks this summer.

He said: "We know it is going to be pretty unrealistic for us to be harbouring ambitions to be at the top of the table in our first season but we have a good chance of grabbing a midtable slot.

"We know it is going to be tough but we have played our way here and we intend to stay – it's taken us long enough.

"Myself and Sean have our eyes on a defender and a midfielder and with those two signings in place by the start of the season we are going to be competitive.

"The same core of players who have been with Sean for years will still provide the nucleus,. They have experience of all the divisions and I know they are not daunted by taking that next step up."

During the past seven years Bauer have been beaten finalists in both the PFA Minor Cup and the Northants Cup.

How they will line up

Premier Division

FC Bauer
Fratelli
Limetree
Lord Westwood
Netherton
New Shoes
Powerleague
Racing 252
Royal Mail

First Division

Cherry Tree
Coates
Deeping
Parkside/Star
Parkway
Premier Decorators
Protelo
SSPIO
West Town

Second Division

Angel Inn
Blue Boar
Farcet Utd
Hampton
Longueville
Netherton Reserves
NTS
Rileys
T. Cook
Werrington Village

Third Division

Borocars Citroen
Brotherhoods
Diesel Power
Farcet Reserves
Fenland Police
Goldhay
Halcyon
Prince of Wales Feathers
Sporting SKS
Werrington Rangers