Dean Hammond cannot wait to prove that Saints can make the step up to Championship football.

Promotion was secured on the final day of the League One season, and the team skipper believes there's no limit to what the squad can achieve in the second tier.

"It's a good group together and with the ability that we've got with the hard work we're putting in, you never know how far we're going to go," he told Saints Player.

"It's the best (group) I've ever been in. The talent in there is fantastic whilst the spirit is second to none.

"It's a step up for us but we feel as though we're a good team. Time will tell obviously. We'll have a good pre season, but we've got great ability and togetherness with the players and you've seen what Norwich have done this year, so we'll take it a game at a time and see what happens."

Hammond is cherishing the spirit and good feeling at the club generated by a promotion bound Saints side, and praised the job achieved over the course of the campaign.

"It didn't start too well but since the manager's come in, and the way he's got us playing, the way he's got the group together it's been fantastic, and we fully deserve promotion.

"It's just fantastic when you see the reaction of the crowd at the end (on Saturday) - it's brilliant.

"32,000 people it was a brilliant day we knew that if we played well and got the result it would be a day to remember, and we've done that."