WITHOUT a ball being kicked last night (Tuesday), Whitecroft and Barton Sports ensured their proud place in the Isle of Wight football history books by winning their sixth Division 1 title on the bounce.
At around 8pm last night, as news of second-placed Shanklin's 1-1 draw at Bembridge filtered through, you could almost hear the cheers and champagne corks popping at the homes of W&B's management team, led by Steve Rayner, the talented squad and their supporters.
Shanklin's two dropped points at Steyne Park made it mathematically sure the title returned to Sandy Lane after a turbulent season that included two lockdowns during this coronavirus pandemic.
W&B player Joe Rayner, Steve's son, who has been part of highly successful sides since they were promoted from Division 2 seven years ago, said: "It was our sixth title in a row — and our best yet.
"This one was for my old man. When he announced he was retiring and football restarted in March, all he wanted was one more league title — and we have delivered."
Joe will be taking over the reins from Steve, in partnership with goalkeeper Gareth True and coach, Paul O'Connor, looking to equal West Wight's incredible seven-in-a-row next season.
Gareth said: "We voted against a return to playing when coming out of lockdown due to the demands of playing so many games in such a short space of time.
"We were given our five toughest fixtures — one after the other — straight from the restart, and this really galvanised us and made us more determined to win the league.
"We all at the club thank Steve and Graham Appell for the success they've brought. Now it's time for stress-free Saturdays.
"However, it won't stop there. It's great to keep the success going, so we'll be chasing down West Wight's record."
Joe, who said he was looking forward to the new challenge, while still playing, commiserated with Shanklin, who can count themselves unlucky not to have won the title with the huge points tally they accumulated this season.
At least Shanklin still have one more crack at winning silverware this season — the Hampshire Intermediate Cup, a year overdue, although third-placed Brading Town will have something to say about that when they meet in the final on Saturday, June 5.
"Fair play to Shanklin. They were the team to beat when we came back from lockdown," Joe said.
"We have had to win every game to win the league — and they have pushed us all the way to the end.
"We will all be celebrating on Saturday night after the Sandown game, our final match."
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