AMBITIOUS Graham Turner has set his sights on emulating the likes of Carlisle and Southend by guiding Hereford United to back-to-back promotions.

Following his side's dramatic play-off victory over Halifax, which finally ended United's nine-year Football League exile, director of football Turner is already plotting exciting times ahead at Edgar Street.

"I've always maintained that well-run clubs of our size could get into the Championship," said Turner, 58. "It's become more difficult in recent years, but clubs like Southend and Colchester prove that it can be done.

"The Championship is a hell of a strong league and those two clubs have got to compete, but it's an example to clubs like ours of what can be done if you run the club properly.

"There have also been some success stories in recent years with teams like Doncaster, Carlisle and Yeovil going up from the Conference and building on promotion.

"We would hope the momentum can keep us going and the winning habit and feeling the players have got from getting promoted can keep us going into next season.

"But we know that won't just happen and we have got to strengthen."

Under Turner's leadership, United have overcome major financial and ground ownership issues to return to the Football League, following relegation in May 1997 when they failed to beat Brighton on the last day. Despite guiding Wolves to league and cup success in a nine-year management spell at Molineux, Turner insists masterminding the revival at Edgar Street ranks highly in his achievements.

"I can recall the day we went down against Brighton and the day was full of despair. I've never known such emotion in football," said Turner.

"Probably distance lends a bit of forgetfulness because I've been to Wembley with Wolves with 80,000 fans and they were great days.

"But under the circumstances this is as big as anything I've done, possibly because of my involvement as chairman and major shareholder as well.

"Possibly, it has put right now what went wrong on that day against Brighton."

He added: "What's intriguing for us now is that we've also got six local derbies to look forward to.

"We've got clubs the size of Swindon, Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Chester and Walsall. All that will help swell the coffers when you have games of that magnitude. It's great to be back in the Football League."

Along with bigger home gates, television income will boost United's finances next season.

For live Sky-televised games, home clubs in League Two are believed to be paid £65,000 compared to £5,000 in the Conference.