BOSS Paul Braithwaite is keen to take Fairford up to the Hellenic League Premier Division and the in-form club will accept the offer if they finish in Division One West’s promotion spots.

The Reds last played at Premier standard in the 2011/12 season and although they were offered the chance to go back up in the summer, they turned it down.

The club’s hierarchy felt Fairford were not ready for promotion at that stage with financial concerns among the reasons, but they have changed their stance this season.

With Braithwaite’s men currently fifth and seven points off league leaders Tytherington, promotion is a possibility and that is exactly what the manager is aiming for.

“If we can get into that top two or three then I will look to get Fairford back in the Premier, but it’s not going to be easy,” said Braithwaite.

“It’s all down to the attitude of players and who wants it and who doesn’t.

“We’ve got a really good mentality with the lads at the moment, their work rate and desire is fantastic.”

Fairford travel to Division One West strugglers Malmesbury tomorrow and Callum Marshall is the only doubt with a hernia.

Braithwaite has promised that his side will not underestimate their opposition, who have only managed two wins in eight league games so far.

“Malmesbury are a young side and they probably need a little bit of experience to go in there and help them out,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to make sure we earn the win, we won’t go there thinking the job’s done.

“If we take the right attitude into the game then there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get the win.

“The lads are in a good place and they know what’s expected of them, and our foremost thinking will be to continue what we’ve been doing.”

Malmesbury boss Gareth Davies will be returning to his former stomping ground tomorrow desperate to end a run of six straight defeats.

Davies has been boosted by the return of Terry Moore to training following a knee problem and the striker may make the bench tomorrow.

“I spent a long time at Fairford and although I don’t know the current manager, I know all the staff and it will be nice to see them all,” said Davies.

“They seem to be on the crest of a wave at the moment and it’s a big game for us.

“We desperately need the points on the board and we don’t want to be lingering around the bottom of the table because it becomes harder to get yourself back out.”