COLCHESTER Hockey Club captain Simon Pearson-Burton is hoping the men's first team's promotion to division two south east is the start of "something exciting".

The Garrison-based club have secured promotion from division three with three games to spare, following an impressive campaign.

Colchester have won 15 of their 19 games so far this season, losing only four matches in that time.

They currently lie in second place behind leaders Chelmsford and could still secure the title, with three games to spare.

Pearson-Burton is happy that they have already secured promotion - but insists it is all about building for the future.

Pearson-Burton said: "I’m delighted that we will be returning to the 2S league.

"From the outset of the season, promotion was never our main aim.

"We set out to stabilise the team and develop a squad who could have a real chance of not just going up one league but continue to climb up the leagues.

"We have started something exciting at Colchester and hopefully this will continue to attract not just top flight players but players of all abilities to join us.

"The aim has always been to develop the squad for the future.

"Our focus was and still remains in building a squad of depth for future seasons."

Colchester will be looking to get back to action, this weekend.

They play host to Brentwood II, at the Garrison.

Colchester were left without a fixture last Saturday after their scheduled match at Waltham Forest II was postponed, due to the cold snap.

Only one game took place in the East Hockey League, with Witham IV winning 3-2 at Havering III in division 7SE.