There was a time when Atherton Colls’ aim was simply to be the best club in town – but now even former bitter rivals toast their success.

Hangovers and headaches have only now subsided following the club’s historic title-clinching result on Easter Monday which puts them into next season’s Evo-Stik Premier League.

The goalless draw against Trafford was enough to hand Colls the title ahead of Radcliffe and ensure celebrations continued well into the week among their growing local fan-base.

Michael Clegg, himself an Atherton lad, has masterminded an incredible three promotions in five years during his time as manager.

The former Pennington boss remembers walking into Colls while they were still perennial North West Counties League strugglers.

“I’ll never forget we’d just been beaten by Atherton Town in the Hospital Cup on penalties and we weren’t even the best team in Atherton,” he said.

“That’s no disrespect to them because we were spending £300 a week on players. And at that stage, I knew that had to be our first target – try to be the best club in the locality.

“On Monday those clubs were there cheering us on. I don’t mean to sound horrible but we’re not rivals any more, we’re helping each other out with players and working together.

“There’s some video on YouTube of us playing Holker at home in front of 37 people. But after they’d opened the gates 30 minutes before the end on Monday we probably had a thousand watching us.

“I think people being disillusioned with Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers has helped. People want to watch football but know for the price of a ticket there they can come to Colls, have a beer and something to eat.

“The whole town has embraced it and we’ve played some really good football. I think people are surprised – they think in non-league there will be fat blokes running around.”

Clegg was also delighted for some of the club stalwarts who helped the club survive leaner times.

“You see people like Emil (Anderson) and his dad, Frank, who has done every job possible here with tears in their eyes after the final whistle,” he said.

“Frank’s wife came up to me afterwards and said ‘thanks for making him a happy man’ and when you hear things like that, you realise we’re making a difference to people’s lives.

“I ended up with hundreds of text messages and Whatsapps and I’ve tried to get back to everyone to say thanks. It pretty much wiped out Tuesday.

“But the lads deserve it. They have worked so, so hard and we’ve played some good football too. I think we’ll do okay next season as well and enjoy the adventure again.”