Promotion delight as Tividale make history

The Dale were promoted to 'step four' of the non-league pyramid for the first time after clinching the Midland Alliance championship last night.

They were confirmed in top spot without kicking a ball as Tipton beat Highgate, who were the only team that could have overhauled Stuart Scriven and Ian Long's men.

The joint managers will now lead the Packwood Road outfit into the second tier of either the Northern or Southern League for the first time in their 60-year history.

Chairman Chris Dudley said: "It is fantastic for the management, the players and the fans and it is really special because it has come in our 60th year.

"It would have been nice to do it 'under our own steam' with a game, but titles are decided over a season and we are delighted. A lot of the players were at the club last night to keep track of the other game and, when the final score came in, 'We Are The Champions' went on the jukebox followed by 'Yellow Submarine', which has been adopted as the club anthem."

Tividale will be presented with the trophy at tonight 's home game against Walsall Wood.