Ingles clinch the Senior League title for first time
‘There’s no budget, the lads play for free’
INGLES FC are celebrating after winning the Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division title for the first time in the club’s history.
A 2-0 win over Ellistown FC on Thursday night put them in pole position and although their title challengers Bardon Hill beat Allexton and New Parks FC 3-2 on Saturday it wasn’t enough and the Shepshed-based side won the title on goal difference.
It means Buchanan, Bowley, Coppard, Brooks, Tuck, Godhania, Hardy, Schulz, Tapper, Hammond, Wolley, Szwedka, Blackshaw and Smith have all etched their names in Leicestershire Senior League football folklore.
On Thursday Matt Smith’s side looked tired as they played their third game in six days to finish their season. They were clinical when they needed to be, showing their quality when Sean Wooley put the Ingles in front on 17 minutes finishing off a fantastic passing move.
There was controversy at the end of the first half, as Josh Bowley clashed with several of the Ellistown players which resulted in three red cards for the home side (Jalloh, Wilson and Onochie) and a red card for the unfortunate Bowley, who suffered a nasty cut above his eye.
The second half was something of a non-event as Ellistown had to soak
up Ingles and attack on the break. Ingles struggled to get past their brave rear-guard action whilst been guilty over-playing much to manager Smith’s frustration on the side-lines.
Lloyd Tapper finally made Ingles possession count on 80 minutes with a quality finish to make the game safe for Ingles.
After the game Manager Matt Smith said he was delighted with their achievements and hoped the club would now be accepted into the East Midlands Counties League (EMCL) for next season.
“At the start of the season we signed some quality players who have played at a higher level of football. After our pre-season friendlies, I knew we’d be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The objective was to win the league and we’ve done it. We’ve got players to drop down to our division to progress the club to step six, FA Vase and all that.
If I can add two or three quality players to what we’ve got, we’ll be able to cope with the step up.”
Chairman Wayne Belcher confirmed the application to the EMCL was made in January.
“With the support of Shepshed Dynamo we believe we’ve got good enough facilities. The FA told us promotion needed to be sealed by May 12. The FA will do what they do and we’ll find out if we’ve been successful or not.”
He praised the efforts of the team throughout the season.
“We knew we had a strong team. We never set the manager targets and it’s about the lads playing football and enjoying the game. There’s no budget, the lads play for free, its something they enjoy doing. After a bad start to the season they’ve been fantastic as the season’s progressed. For me they are the best team in the league and deserve to get promoted.”