Champions!

FC United of Manchester were crowned Champions of the North West Counties Division 1 on Monday after beating Atherton Laburnum Rovers 7-1 at Gigg Lane (home).

The win put them at the top with 105 points and only 3 games left to go. 105 points is enough as the next closest challenger is Curzon Ashton, currently at 89 points with 5 games to go. Therefore, even if they win all remaining 5 matches, it would bring their tally up to 104 points.

Anyway, congratulations to FCUM for yet another successful season as they looked on track to be climbing steadily to EPL.

Anyway, if the English Premier League is Level 1 of the English Football League System, then the current North West Counties Division 1 is Level 9. Next season will be Level 8 Northern Premier League First Division.

Anyway congratulations to them again and if they can keep up the rate of advancement, we should be able to start seeing them in the papers when they reach Level 4, Nationwide Football League 2 in about 5 years' time.

Also, mark 2 May 2007 on your calendar as the date marks the Final of the NWCFL Challenge Cup. A more modest version of the FA Cup at their level. We will be up against Curzon Ashton.

Hope that they will be able to close the season with a double. Good luck!!