Boreham Wood FC will join the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Canvey Island and Chelmsford City in the Ryman Premier League next season.

The club had the choice of continuing in the Southern League or returning to the Isthmian League after winning promotion from the Southern League Division One East last season.

Club chairman Danny Hunter said: "Next season will be a transitional season for us after our promotion. It's clear we cannot compete budget or crowd wise with the bigger clubs in our division like AFC Wimbledon or Chelmsford.

"However, I'm a great believer if your organised, hard-working and disciplined, you can create a mentality in the dressing room that refuses to accept mediocrity.

"We showed in the FA Trophy run we enjoy being the underdog, so if we can recreate that attitude we might just surprise a few."

Mr Hunter said that low gate receipts continued to limit the club's options financially but that he was confident he could prepare the club for eventual entry into the Conference South.

"I've given up caring that our crowds are the smallest in the division. I accept that, so it's not an issue. But that makes the challenge even better. We will work hard on team spirit, our fitness, our pattern of play and we will continue to develop our youth structure to even things up.

"Our pitch will again be improved, to make it one of the finest in non-league football and we will endeavour to be creative in the transfer market to improve the squad, by bringing in a player or two. If we can achieve those things and get off to a good start, who knows perhaps a top-half finish or better is possible."

Mr Hunter announced this week that he was putting together a list of pre-season games for July and August which will include Champions League finalists Arsenal, Championship play-off finalists Watford and Premiership Charlton.

Other clubs confirmed for pre-season games are St Albans, Enfield Town, Northwood, Wingate and Finchley and Leighton Town.

He said he had yet to confirm dates with the bigger clubs but was thrilled to have arranged such prestigious fixtures for the club.

He said: "I'm determined to ensure the pitch, stadium and facilities are all improved over the summer months. We will try to build on our league title success and continue the progress we made last season.

"I will again ensure, that all children who go to junior schools in Borehamwood, Elstree and Shenley are offered our free season ticket for schools scheme. This scheme gives free entry to all our home league games next season in the Ryman Premier League.

"This proved popular with local families last season and I'm keen to encourage that application forms are now with all junior schools."

It was also confirmed this week that the club's PASE team will be competing in the Suburban League next year against senior level reserve teams, another step forward in the development of Boreham Wood's youth structure.