Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has claimed he's ready to taste further silverware as a manager after leading South Shields to the Northern Premier League title during his first full season in management.
It's a fourth promotion in eight seasons for the Mariners, following a 2-1 win over Warrington Town at the 1st Cloud Arena over the weekend.
First-half goals from Tom Broadbent and Robert Briggs were enough to give Phillips’s side all three points, with the former England international immediately targeting more success in the future.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray addresses Amad's future and how he could return to Sunderland next season
"For me personally, it’s a fantastic achievement, my first medal as a manager and hopefully there’s many, many more to come," Phillips said after the win.
"You look at all of this, it’s the seventh tier of non-league and scenes like this, they don’t get much better. But now it’s about Stafford Rangers next Saturday and then it’s holiday time for me and that’s something I am looking forward to."
However, the win wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the former Sunderland forward as he was shown a red card for protesting the referee's decision to not award his side a penalty late on which would've all but secured the win if it'd been awarded.
"I probably let myself down at the end getting myself sent off. It just means so much to me, it all meant so much to me, even though there was nothing on the game.
"I was desperate to win today because I wanted to do it for all of these people that have come out to support us and those behind the scenes that have given so much for the club.
"I can’t stress how much this squad means to me because of how much they have shown since we lost at Bamber Bridge. To have that setback, then win three games on the bounce against teams desperate for points, those scrapping for points, it’s outstanding and it’s testament to the players, my staff and they all mean so much to me."
READ NEXT:
Sunderland's Birmingham win keeps play-off hopes alive - and Tony Mowbray treading a fine line
Amad's winning Sunderland goal branded 'a touch of class' by Birmingham City boss John Eustace
Tony Mowbray explains why Dennis Cirkin's upcoming suspension has come at the right time
Tony Mowbray sets Sunderland last-day target after Birmingham win keeps them in the play-off hunt
Sunderland player ratings as Amad, Dan Neil, and Anthony Patterson impress in win against Birmingham
