'That's for you, Alan' - Tempest crowned Premier Division champions

Tempest United sealed the title with a dramatic late 2-1 win against Cleator Moor Celtic as nearest challengers CMB lost by the same scoreline at Blackpool Wren Rovers.

It sparked wild celebrations long into the night at Tempest - but one man was not far from everyone's thoughts.

Chairman Alan Westhead died in November after 60 years at Tempest as player, manager, committee member, secretary and chairman.

He was also awarded the Wilf Carr Club Loyalty Trophy at the league’s 2023/24 season presentation night last summer.

McNair said: "Alan was in my team talk - he's been in every team talk all season since he passed away if I am honest.

"This was for him and his family. He'd have been made up.

"His son Gary was with us as was his brother-in-law Chris, who was in tears at the end. It was an emotional day for everyone.

"Alan would have probably told me off for leaving it so late to win the title!

"He'd have been at that bar with his pint of 'mix' - half mild, half bitter - and loved every minute of it."

At 3pm, Tempest knew if they beat Cleator Moor Celtic and CMB lost at Blackpool Wren Rovers, they'd be crowned champions.

It started badly - a penalty put Cleator ahead on 10 minutes before Jordan Pendlebury fired home an equaliser from 20 yards.

Cleator Moor had a goal disallowed for offside as the clock ticked down to 90 minutes.

Word had filtered through from Wren Rovers that CMB had lost - a late goal would hand Tempest the title.

"There was about three minutes left in our game and Tom Booth had this shot and I've not seen a save like it," said McNair, who returned to the hotseat in the summer.

"I think the kid was only 16. It was an unbelievable save. At that point I said to myself 'we'll take a point, not our day'."

But a minute later, Booth did the find the net with a looping header to spark wild scenes on the pitch and touchline.

McNair added: "We tried to keep it from the players but from us in the dugout and people on the side singing 'championi, championi' I think they cottoned on!"

Tempest have led the table for most of the season after a blistering start saw them go unbeaten in the league until the end of November.

They suffered a slight wobble with surprise defeats at Cleator Moor and Coppull but held off the challenge of close rivals CMB and Burscough Richmond to secure the title with two games to go.

So what's been the difference after last season's 10th placed finish?

"We got them really fit in pre-season," said McNair who also heaped praise on predecessor John Crossland.

"We changed the shape and basically mimicked CMB. We haven't changed the players - they're the same players.

"They felt they had a point to prove after losing the Richardson Cup final last year, we didn't show up.

"But we've shown up this year and I can't be any prouder."