BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent are celebrating after their reserve team were handed a place in next season's new Thurlow Nunn League division one (south).

The R's were contacted earlier this month asking if they would be interested in joining after another team withdrew.

They then confirmed that they had accepted and been officially constituted over the weekend.

"It's excellent news for the club and a clear route through for players from our academy, into the under-18s, reserves and eventually the first team," said first-team manager Tom Rothery.

"It won’t happen overnight and will take lots of work from all coaches, volunteers and everyone involved.

"However, it’s a really positive move."

Regent will join fellow Tendring sides Harwich and Parkeston, Little Oakley and Holland FC in the division, with the other sides being Benfleet, Braintree Town Reserves, Burnham Ramblers, Coggeshall United, Fire United, Frenford, Hackney Wick, Halstead Town, Hashtag United, Lopes Tavares, May and Baker, Newbury Forest, Wadham Lodge, White Ensign, Wivenhoe Town and Wormley Rovers.

Meanwhile, Brightlingsea will start their defence of the Essex FA Tolleshunt D’Arcy Memorial Cup with a home tie against Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division outfit Tiptree Heath.

Regent lifted the silverware at the end of last season, after a 1-0 victory against FC Clacton at the Taydal Stadium.

A date for the fixture will follow.

The rest of the draw is Hullbridge Sports v Great Bentley, Burnham Ramblers v Little Oakley, Maldon and Tiptree v Halstead Town, Wormingford Wanderers v Clacton, Witham Town v Heybridge Swifts, Kelvedon Social v Alresford Colne Rangers and Springfield v Coggeshall United.