Doune Castle this week wrapped up a memorable season by getting their hands on the Caledonian Premier Division title to add to their East of Scotland Cup win earlier in the season.
But Castle gaffer George Ward says securing the league title was beyond his wildest dreams.
Ward took over the Moray Park outfit last season and in his first campaign led them to the First Division title – winning promotion to the Premier Division.
In their first campaign back in the top flight, Castle sealed the East of Scotland Cup back in March and were handed the league title on Saturday after their opponents were unable to fulfil the fixture and the three points headed to Doune, sealing the championship in the process.
The delighted Castle boss told The Observer: “Being totally honest, it wasn’t something that I expected at the start of the season.
“When I first came in, we just wanted to get back up to the Premier Division, because we’re a Premier Division club and that’s where we should be.
“At the start of the season I wanted us to get to 30 points, because that’s what I thought would keep us safe. But we reached 30 points fairly early on.
“Our aim was to get to safety as soon as we could and then get a run in a cup and we targeted the East of Scotland, which we won.”
Castle were forced to play catch up for a large part of the end of the season due to a fixture pile up.
Ward said: “It was tough. We were playing twice a week from April until June. When you’re having to travel to Giffnock or Dumbarton midweek at rush hour after the players have been at their work all day, it’s hard going, so full credit to them.”
Looking ahead to next season, the Doune boss is hoping his side can once again compete for the league title, but has warned that doesn’t mean his side will be guaranteed to re-create this season’s success.
“Once you have done what we have this season, you have to be there or there abouts next year. If we can stay in the top two or three then that would be a success – but really you want to go all the way and win it again.”
The players enjoyed the title celebrations on Saturday after a bounce game at Moray Park before the club’s Player of the Year awards at Doune Castle Bowling Club.
Castle goalkeeper, Allan Pacitti, picked up the top award, the Docherty Trophy for the Player of the Year. See next Friday’s Observer for more on the awards.
