Acle Rangers players are gearing up for a day at the races after their overjoyed chairman promised to treat them for winning the Norwich Sunday League's Copy IT Cup final.
After the 3-0 success over AFC Wanderers at the FDC on Sunday, Colin Tovell said he would foot the bill for a squad day trip to Newmarket, adding: 'It should be one hell of day but I won't be paying for all the bets though.'
He continued: 'It's the reward for winning the cup final and a great season in which it looks like we will probably finish third in the Premier Division.'
Acle Rangers, who will celebrate 40 years as a Sunday club next season, emerged from the Yarmouth Sunday League before joining the Norwich League in 1998, and have established themselves as one of the emminent senior teams.
Sunday's league cup final appearance was their third in the last four seasons, and their second victory, adding to their 1-0 win over Dog House in 2011.
At a time when several Sunday clubs have folded through lack of players and interest, Rangers, who also have a reserve team managed by Garrie Willgress in Division 1b, are going from strength to strength.
'The club is stronger than it has ever been,' said the effervescent Tovell. 'I have drafted several youngsters in on to the committee so they know what running a club is all about and I cannot speak highly enough of them.'
Commenting on the outstanding spirit on and off the pitch, he said: 'It's like a happy family. I am so proud to be chairman of this club. At our level it's all about enjoying it. 'They are mostly Acle boys but the ones that aren't local have come in and bought into it all –they absolutely love it.'
Acle's success meant that business boomed at the Bridewell Lane Social Club on Sunday and that is set to continue with various celebrations to mark the Acle United Saturday team's, maiden Sterry Cup success and events to to mark 100 years of affiliation to Norfolk County FA.
Several of the Rangers players also turn out for the Saturday side with the Foreman brothers, James, Scott and Daniel, Peter Nobbs, Bradley Hyde, Danny Colk, and Ricky Forder all savouring a season that will be very hard to follow.
Champions Acle United are set to receive the Sterry Cup after Friday's final Anglian Combination Premier Division fixture of the season at home to Mattishall (kick-off 6.45).
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