CHAMPAGNE-drenched Dalry Thistle boss Gavin Friels said title success with Dalry Thistle is one of the highlights of his illustrious career.

The Merksworth Park club captured captured their first title in nine years on Saturday. Needing a draw away to promoted Craigmark Burntonians on Saturday to land the Ayrshire District League, they captured it in sensational style with a 5-0 victory at Station Park, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans.

Friels took over when they were bottom of the league five years ago and has transformed their fortunes.

He said: "I won four Premier titles as a player, with Pollok and Irvine Meadow. But this as good as anything for me, although it's really for the boys. We set out at the start of the season to get promoted but we realised there were a lot of teams with big budgets and we thought it would be difficult but we kept quiet and worked hard. It's a great effort and the boys can now enjoy it. I know it has taken time. I don't think we have to change the squad much, we will maybe add a couple of players."

Strikers Dylan Stevenson and Ian Cashmore who were both on target against 'Mark believe their side richly deserve success."

Stevenson said: "This is the biggest achievement for me so far, it's the first time I have won the league. I would like to here next season but I will see what they offer. It's been great playing alongside Ian - I have learned a lot from him. We all spoke at the start of the season and thought that we could win the league. There have been some difficult games. Hopefully we can challenge for the league next season. You have to aim high."

Cashmore added: "Every title feels just as good - I have won the Premier Division and the District League with Buffs and there are some players who have never won the league. Some teams wrote of us but we have done really well. I have loved it this season and hope to be back. I think we could do okay in the Championship."