Clay Cross Town FC crowned champions of the Central Midlands Football League’s Premier Division South

Cross clinched the title after an away draw against Mansfield Hosiery Mills FC after a long and arduous season.

Two days later came the team’s crowning glory as they lifted the league title in front of their loyal home supporters, after a comfortable 3-0 victory against visiting Nottingham FC.

Responsible for leading the Millers to the league win are co-managers Joe Tomlinson and Jonney Rushby and their assisstant Mark Nadin. The trio talked about their ‘relief’ having finally finishing top of the tricky division.

Assistant manager Nadin described the season as ‘a long slog’.

He said: “Throughout the season you’ve got to be consistent or you’ll get found out. If you win one it’s straight on to the next one. It’s a proper cliche but that’s the fact.”

Co-manager Tomlinson added: “We’re obviously relieved but really overwhelmed as well. We’ve got the last home game here tonight to round off the season and then we get to lift the trophy which is a nice feeling.”

By winning the league, the Millers have also guaranteed a place at step six of the non-league pyramid, being promoted into the Northern Counties East League Division One, where they’ll be up against sides including Staveley MW and Shirebrook Town.

Tomlinson said: “We’re looking forward to it. We know it’s obviously going to be challenging going up a league. We may have to recruit two or three players to add to the small squad we’ve got, but we haven’t thought about it too much. Recently our focus was just getting over the line.”

CCTFC secretary, Dave Clarke, described the league win as ‘absolutely fantastic’.

He said: “The future’s bright. We’ll set out to do what we can next season and do Clay Cross proud. That’s the main thing.”

Talking to the supporters, Dave added: “A massive thank you for supporting us home and away, not always in great numbers, but passionately. We’re a family so this trophy is also for them.”

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