IT'S not only Steve Tilson's Southend United side who are celebrating promotion this season as Blues' ladies team, managed by Lisa Hart, will also be playing in a higher division next year.

The Seasiders finished a creditable second in their table and will now join the likes of Colchester United and Dagenham and Redbridge in Division One for the new campaign.

"It's been a good season and it was good to get promotion," said Hart, who first formed the team 15 years ago.

"We have a lot of young players and they have done really well. Now we can't wait for the new season and everyone is really looking forward to it."