ON a proud evening at the Kensite Stadium, Mark Truffas’ first-half goal gave Atherton Collieries the victory they needed to clinch the Hallmark Security League Premier Division title.

Michael Clegg’s side needed two points from their final two games but got three with a 1-0 win against Abbey Hey to seal the championship and with it promotion to Evo-Stik First Division North, marking a highest-ever point for the Alder House club and a fitting end to the club’s centenary season.

A bumper crowd of more than 500 turned out in Atherton on an unseasonably chilly evening to see Colls finish the job with room to spare ahead of fourth-placed Runcorn Town’s visit to the Kensite on Saturday.

Having faced a tense start to the month with a 1-0 home defeat to Runcorn Linnets which blew the title race wide open, Colls have since steamrollered their way through six successive victories.

A seventh always looked on the cards once Colls went in front shortly before the half-hour mark, despite a dogged and well-organised performance from the mid-table visitors. As has so often been the case this season, talismanic wide man Mark Truffas was the man to deliver the quality when Colls needed it most. Winning a free kick on the right angle of the penalty area, Truffas dusted himself off and delivered a beautiful strike that left Abbey Hey goalkeeper Dean Williams merely a spectator as he helplessly watched the ball curl inside his right-hand post. While there was always the threat of the visitors gaining a foothold in the game, the entire Colls side did a tremendous job of keeping their opponents at arm’s length and never looked in any serious danger of being forced to take the title race to the final day, particularly as they boasted the best defensive record in the division.

For a side enjoying only their second season of football at this level to hit the 100-point mark, having already clocked up a century of goals, is a truly remarkable achievement and something the club will hold dear as they enter next season playing at the highest level in their history.

Colls were presented with the league championship on the field immediately after the game, in a moment many of the club’s countless volunteers would probably have never dreamed of just a few years ago.

And they will be hopeful of more success next season when taking on established non-league names such as Hyde United, Kendal Town, Droylsden, Clitheroe and Scarborough Athletic, a challenge that Clegg and his side will be sure to relish.

Until then though, they can concentrate on celebrating their incredible progress and see out the season in fine style in the final fixture against Runcorn Town on Saturday. Kick off at the Kensite Stadium is 3pm.