TOTTON & Eling chairman/co-manager Andy Tipp has seen the positive side of being embroiled in a Sydenhams Premier relegation battle.

The Millers’ nail-biting three-way fight with Christchurch and Fareham Town may not have done his shattered nerves much good, but it has done wonders for the club’s profile.

“It’s been a really good battle and created a lot of interest,” he said.

“I’m sure it’s put all three of our gates up.

“We’ve received a lot of support from other clubs and people around the game have all been interested in what’s been going on.

“There has been more interest in what’s been happening at the bottom of the table than at the top!”

T&E’s brave battle to beat the drop brought them eight wins and three draws in their last 17 league games – a remarkable turnaround for a club who had taken until mid-October to bank their first point.

The problem was that Christchurch and Fareham also staged a late revival, taking it right down to the wire on the last day.

Ultimately it was Matt Parr’s Fareham who achieved guaranteed safety with a 1-0 victory at Andover Town – their third straight win – while Christchurch were condemned to bottom spot after losing 2-1 at home to Winchester City.

T&E ended up wedged between the two in 20th after a 2-1 result at Horndean, putting themselves first in line for any possible reprieve when the league constitution is decided in mid-June.

“To be fair, nobody expected all three clubs to hit such good form at the end of the season,” said Tipp. “But what we’ve achieved has been good. We couldn’t have done much more.”

The Millers are due to meet Totton & Eling Town Council soon to discuss the lease at their Miller Park home.

“Hopefully we’ll get the pitch together and get ourselves on a much more stable footing for next season,” said Tipp. “Our youth section are very keen for the club to succeed. It’s important the club is properly run rather than just having me running around trying to do everything.”