RETFORD United were crowned champions of the UniBond First Division South on Saturday after a win that epitomised their season.

Despite playing for the last five months without pay and a ground grading likely to keep them from promotion, Peter Duffield's men have continued to race towards the title at a furious pace.

The manager believes his squad's achievements this season are remarkable, given the circumstances.

He said: "We don't know yet if we'll be allowed to go up, we're waiting on the official word from the UniBond and we've not been paid for four or five months, but we've won nine on the bounce."

"That's character. What these players have done for Retford, not just the club but the town, is unique."

"I don't think another club will ever have what we've had this season, we've stuck together."

Retford clinched the title with four games remaining and rather than coast through to the end of the season, Duffield is calling for his players to continue their ruthless form.

"I want to get 100 points, that would be quite remarkable."
"I think it would be a bit disrespectful to our opponents to say we were looking for 100 goals as well."

"I'll be mixing up my team so everyone gets a game but we won't be going in lightly."

Badgers' 5-1 win on Saturday put them on 92 points, 17 points clear of second-placed Cammell Laird, who will be the probable beneficiaries from Retford's ground-grading woes.

Duffield's men put the off-field problems firmly behind them on Saturday in order to demolish Alsager Town.
Despite going in 0-0 at half-time, Badgers came roaring out in the second half.
A corner was swung in by Michael Simpkins and Mick Goddard flicked a header back to Mick Godber who easily turned the ball into the net after 52 minutes.

The second goal came on 63 minutes when Goddard turned and lashed the ball in at the far post to give United an important two goal cushion.
The game was all but over on 70 minutes, Goddard scoring his second after Roberts' poor clearance fell to his feet well outside the box and he hit a sweet shot from distance.

It was 4-0 five minutes later as United started to make the game look like a rout thanks to Godber with his second of the game.

Alsager pulled one back late on through Mark Sobewljew, a close range header that gave Ross Turner no chance, but Godber had the game sewn up minutes later with his hat-trick goal, firing past Roberts to secure the 5-1 win.

Badgers travel to Colwyn Bay on Saturday (3pm).