THE bonds of friendship have proven key for Croftlands Park in their rapid ascent from newcomers to being the team to beat in the Furness Premier League.

Having been promoted from Division Two and Division One in consecutive seasons following their admission to the competition in 2014, the Cavendish Park-based club carried off the Premier Division title at the first attempt this season.

A goalless draw at Vickerstown reserves in the final game of Croftlands’ season sealed the unlikely triumph for the team which began just to give a group of friends a chance to play Saturday football.

“I wouldn’t say there was a secret, I’d say it’s more than we’re just one big group of mates who work hard,” said Croftlands manager and secretary Shaun Dixon, who was one of the founders of the club, reflecting on their meteoric rise to the summit of the Furness Premier League.

“I would have liked to have come as high up the table as we could, but I didn’t expect us to come anywhere near the top. We were beaten by Bootle away and then we just went on a bit of a run, and other results were going our way and we just though we could maybe win it.

“We hang around with each other a lot off the field as well, so it just clicks and it has worked well.”

Another of the men who played a key role in helping get the club off the ground is Matt Dean, whose goals have helped fire Croftlands through the divisions and on to title glory, netting 35 times in 25 games during the 2016/17 campaign.

It has not all been plain sailing for the champions though, with the team having to relocate from their original home on the old rugby league training ground at Dragley Beck in Ulverston to their current base on Barrow Island for the 2015/16 season.

“Last year, we moved over to Barrow because we couldn’t find a pitch in Ulverston and we’ve only just started to feel settled,” said Dixon, who is happy with how the move has panned out.

“It’s been better than we thought. Most of us are Ulverston lads – we do have about eight or nine Barrow lads – but we got offered the chance to play over there.

“We couldn’t really find anywhere of our own in Ulverston, but it has gone better than expected and Cavendish Park is on the up.

“They’ve just started work on a new clubhouse and community centre, and there is going to be a lot of work done over there, so it’s only a benefit for us really.”

Croftlands are grateful for their help from their sponsors, The Sun Inn, as well, and have tentative plans in place to launch a reserve side following their early ascent to the top division of the league, where they hope to stay for a long time.

“We have spoken about it and I’m not sure if it will be next season, but we have spoken about trying to get a reserve team for the future,” said Dixon.

“A lot of teams have asked us if we want to play in the West Lancs League, but it’s not something we’re looking to do at the moment. We’re just enjoying playing together and playing locally.”