Braintree Town 'can sustain' promotion - Chairman

Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding says the Blue Square Bet Premier would not be a bridge too far for his side.

The Iron are ten points clear at the top of the Blue Square Bet South.

"We would hope we would be competitive and if not, if we find the Conference South is our level, then fair enough," Harding told BBC Essex.

"But I believe hand on heart north Essex and the town and district of Braintree can support and sustain a Conference Premier side."

After Rod Stringer's side missed out on the play-offs last season by one point, the club laid out a two-year plan to build a side capable of challenging for promotion.

But after winning 18 of their 23 league games this season, Braintree are on course to go up 12 months ahead of schedule.

Rod's always looking, he's operating within his budget. He's got a little bit of money spare

Braintree chairman Lee Harding

"From our point of view it's the old saying: It's better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all," said Harding.

"We want to play our football at the highest sustainable level, and the key words there are highest and sustainable.

"We're certainly not going to bankrupt ourselves or risk doing that at any time.

"If the unthinkable were to happen and promotion were to come then we'd have a go. We know we'd have to spend some money on the ground, we'd do our budgeting sensibly and we'd give the best resources we could to the manager."

Harding said Stringer had funds available immediately if he wanted to add more depth to his squad.

"Rod's always looking, he's operating within his budget," said Harding.

"He's got a little bit of money spare, he was quite prudent at the beginning of the season and we generated a bit of prize money out of our success in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. He's got the ability to bring a player or two in if he needs it."

Braintree host 15th-placed Dartford on Saturday.