by Garry Clarke
THE champagne corks were popping at Gorsey Lane on Easter Monday as Rylands FC was presented with the Hallmark Security League First Division North trophy.
Playing at step 6 for the first time in their history having stepped up from the Cheshire Football League last summer, the club formed in 1911 clinched the title on Easter Saturday with a convincing 5-0 win away at Stone Old Alleynians.
Jay White scored twice for Rylands in Staffordshire, with further goals coming from Tom Freeman, Andy Scarisbrick and Ste Wolhuter.
The Blues triumph attracted congratulations from some of the biggest names in the sport taking to twitter to offer words of support. England’s all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney; now playing with DC United in America’s Major League Soccer, and the former Manchester United star was quick to convey his congratulation as were current England stars Harry Maguire and Jack Butland were also in touch, as was England women’s team captain Toni Duggan.
All four are represented by Paul Stretford, who is owner of the Rylands Recreation Club and through his company, Triple S Sports & Entertainment, is the major sponsor of the football club and has big plans for the club to move up the leagues.
Rylands Secretary Tony Bennett said: “It’s an historic moment for Rylands Football Club. This is the proudest day in the club’s history and also its most successful season. When we entered the league this year, our goal was to consolidate our position and plan to build on that over the next couple of seasons, what happened this year has accelerated those plans”.
Rylands celebrated winning the league title by beating Maine Road 4-0 at Gorsey Lane on Monday. Wolhuter opened the scoring earlier in the first half after Maine Road had missed a penalty.
Wolhuter turned provider by setting up the second goal just before half time scored by Tom McNamara. The win was completed by two late goals, the first from Tom Freeman and the second a close range header by player/co manager Stuart Wellstead.
Rylands final league fixture of the season will be next Saturday (27th April) when Sandbach United will be the visitors to Gorsey Lane.
📸 | Match Photographs @nwcfl First Division South vs @MaineRoadFC
Full Gallery 👉🏻 https://t.co/ePZ8ixLrHw pic.twitter.com/rmqAmAfFra
— Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 22, 2019
Here is the top of the First Division South.
Confirmation that Rylands have won the league and Vauxhall Motors will finish the season as runners up. pic.twitter.com/HMyKN5Spbn
— Hallmark Sec Lge (@nwcfl) April 22, 2019
— Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) April 22, 2019
