SEAGULLS’ head coach Barry Alldrick believes his squad could be joining Poole and Swim Bournemouth in the top division in the foreseeable future following a restructuring of the National Arena League West.

The Christchurch and New Milton club finished in a solid mid-table position after winning December’s B final in their first season in Division One.

Alldrick said at the time that he hoped his side could progress to the point where they would be challenging for promotion to the Premier Division by the end of 2011.

That now looks even more feasible following the league’s recent decision to increase the number of clubs in the Premier Division from 18 to 24.

This means that Division One champions Poole and runners-up Yeovil will be joined in the top tier by the next six clubs behind them.

This in turn means Seagulls will start the 2011 Arena League season in October ranked second in Division One – and with three rather than two promotion places on offer.

Alldrick said: “I think it’s good that the Premier Division will have 24 teams. The top eight clubs are always going to be hard to break into and this change will provide a bit more competition for the lower clubs.”

Of Seagulls’ position, he added: “In terms of age groups, we will have a stronger team than last year, and we go in ranked second and with three promotion places instead of two.

“So I am confident we will be up there fighting for promotion at the end of the year.”