MATT Ritchie always knew Swindon Town would bounce back from their tough start and secure promotion from League Two, and is convinced the club is capable of competing at the top end of League One next season.

Town lost four of their first five games in League Two following the arrival of Paolo Di Canio and were sitting 21st in the table at the end of August, but dragged themselves back into contention before a run of 10 straight wins in January and February sent them to the top of the table.

Ritchie was always convinced they were capable of turning things around, and is proud of the way they secured promotion and the title.

“From day one we believed it and everyone who came in was great, and then the manager came in and the board backed him to get promotion and to be champions. I think it was expected here from the word go,” he said.

“It was tough at the start but we all stuck together and gelled as a group and some of the performances we have put in have been brilliant.

“It would not look out of place in the championship, because we can create some great chances, and that has to be out goal now.

“What we have done is a brilliant achievement, especially because we were favourites at the start of the season which adds a little bit of pressure, but we have lived up to that and we are the champions.”

With promotion and the title secured, the midfielder is now setting his sights on success in League One, and is confident the club will be in the hunt for back-to-back promotion this time next year.

“I would be lying if I said we did not need to make any signings, because we probably do need a couple of bodies, but we have a great team and a great set up, and on the pitch and we just need to keep that going.

“If we can do that then I am sure we will be there or there abouts next year.

“Southampton and Norwich have proved that back-to-back promotions are not as rare as they used to be, so if we equip ourselves properly I am sure we will be able to do that.”