Farnham Town manager Paul Johnson has signed a new two-year contract, running until June 2027.

Having masterminded the club’s most successful spell in their 119-year history, Town have tied down Johnson’s long-term future at the club ahead of the move up to Step 3 next season.

After taking the reins at The Memorial Ground in November 2022, Johnson steadied the ship quickly and helped the side move up the table and finish the 2022-23 campaign in sixth position in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.

The season ended with a ten-game unbeaten run in the league and a dramatic 3-2 extra-time triumph over Balham to claim the Southern Combination Cup.

The following campaign, with promotion in the club’s sights, Johnson’s side delivered emphatically on that target, completing an invincible league campaign of 35 wins, three draws and no defeats, winning promotion to the Isthmian League South Central Division with nine games to spare.

Town also reached the final of the Surrey Senior Cup for the first time in their history, where they were narrowly edged out 1-0 by higher-level South Park (Reigate).

This season – the club’s first at Step 4 level – they kicked on again under Johnson’s stewardship, clinching back-to-back promotions in March.

Town sealed the Isthmian League South Central Division title with six games to spare with a 6-0 win at home to Rayners Lane.

Over the past two-and-a-half seasons, Johnson has guided Farnham Town into Step 3 for the first time in the club’s history, boasting an all-competitions win rate of 77 per cent in his time in charge so far.

Farnham Town chairman Harry Hugo said: “I’m delighted to be able to lock down Paul for the foreseeable future – he’s the biggest asset the club has right now.

“He’s been the mastermind behind our recent success, guiding us towards British footballing records and back-to-back promotions.

“It was imperative for us that we rewarded him for what he’s done for the club and the town.

“As we now look to make an unprecedented leap up into Step 3, it’s essential that Farnham Town establish a footing at the level and build the foundations for the next part of the project, and there’s no better person to lead that from a footballing side than Paul.”

Speaking on his new contract, Johnson said: “Every manager wants to be at a club where they feel supported and backed, and over the past couple of years at Farnham Town it’s been perfect for me.

“We’ve been given all the tools necessary to deliver the success we’ve had on the field, enjoying back-to-back promotions and making the move up to Step 3 football for the first time in our history.

“It’s been refreshing to work alongside the directors at the club – Harry, Paul Tanner, Dean Nelson and Ed Kelsing – where we all want the same things and are working together to deliver success to the club and the fans who have been tremendous in supporting the team, home and away.

“The crowds, the gates, the noise – it makes The Memorial Ground a very special place to come and watch football.

“I look forward to what lies ahead at Farnham Town, and everyone’s pushing to continue to make big strides on and off the field – and I’m excited about continuing to be involved on that journey.”