SWINDON Town Ladies captain Michelle Rich has hailed her side as the ‘best ever’ after they lifted the FA Women’s Premier League South West Division One title.

An 8-0 win at home to Shanklin two weeks ago secured the title for Steve Robertson side as they finished three points clear of Chichester City.

Rich has played for the club since she was 15 and believes the current crop are the best she has played with in those 16 years having learnt from their disappointment of missing out on promotion last term.

“We’re absolutely over the moon,” she said.

“I have been playing for Swindon for a while now and I think this is the best team we have ever had.

“We thought we were going to get promoted last season but it didn’t work out but to be honest I think it has worked out for the better.

“We attracted players not just from Swindon but from your Bristols and your Yeovils and we have had a squad of 20 and we have needed it.

“This year we were bigger, stronger, faster, better and I think we are in a far better position to go up.

“This year we had a good cup run as well and got to play Tottenham and it has been a fantastic season all round.

“Unfortunately we lost our unbeaten run but it has been amazing.”

The squad will now enjoy a well-deserved break before coming back and preparing for life in Southern Division – the third tier of women’s football – and Rich knows that recruitment will be top of the order.

“The girls will have a nice rest now and go on holiday but I am sure pre-season will be a lot harder as we have got to step up to the plate now,” she added.

“We have got a few people leaving with some girls going to university so we do need to build again a little bit now and we have got to be able to step up for the new league.

“I think success attracts people so hopefully we will get a few new signings in the summer because we will need it.”