Following their 3-1 victory over Dalton Athletic in the Heck Harrogate & District Football League Intermediate Cup final, Bedale AFC reserves were crowned the Jan Sinker League champions on Saturday without kicking a ball.

Burley Trojans FC, the only team which could have overtaken them for the championship, lost 3-2 to Bardsey Reserves FC in midweek meaning the final game of the season away to Harlow Hill FC was a dead rubber.

As it transpired, Harlow Hill could not raise a team, so the game was awarded as a 1-0 walkover to Bedale, giving them the championship by five points, having won every away game this season.

As league and cup double winners, the players celebrated with a training session at the Heck Stadium in Bedale. The last home game of the season, the league supplementary cup semi-final, is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, against Hampsthwaite Reserves, kick off at 2pm when the league championship trophy will be presented by league secretary Richie Haslam.

Plans for next season are already taking shape with a new reserve team entering the Heck Harrogate Football League managed by Tom King and Jack Wilson, who both coach at Bedale Junior Football Club. The annual presentation evening at Bedale Sports Club and Community Centre is on Saturday, June 10 at 6.30pm.