Painswick Football Club, one of the big success stories in Gloucestershire sport over the past few years, are close to adding more silverware to their overflowing trophy cabinet.

The all-conquering club are within touching distance of winning the Stroud League Division One title after their 3-0 win at Wotton Rovers on Saturday.

That was their 17^th win in 21 league games – they’ve also drawn three – and they could wrap up the title on Wednesday when they host Shortwood United Reserves.

Painswick have a three-point advantage over second-placed Taverners, who have two games remaining, but such is the gap in the goal difference between the two – 51 to 27 – a win against Shortwood would all but guarantee that Painswick will be crowned champions.

Painswick also have a game in hand on Taverners, who are playing at Minchinhampton on Wednesday and are the only team who can overhaul the leaders.

“It’s been a fantastic season,” said Painswick club official Jim Evans. “We’ve had four promotions in the previous four seasons, success breeds success.”

The upturn in Painswick’s fortunes has coincided with the arrival of Carl Williams as manager and Evans continued: “He’s done a brilliant job. He’s very committed, it’s like a full-time job!”

Painswick are hoping to play in the Northern Senior League for the first time in their history next season and Evans, who is the club’s treasurer, believes they can look to the future with confidence.

“We’ve got a good raft of players, it’s quite a young squad,” he said.

Painswick are also through to the League Cup final – they play Chalford Reserves at Shortwood on Thursday 9^th May – and while the flagship team are clearly flying, they are not the only team at the club who have had a good campaign with Painswick Reserves finishing fourth in the Stroud League’s 10-strong Division 5N and the 3rds finishing fifth in Division Six.