CHAMPION football clubs Marske United and Redcar Athletic have been congratulated over their silverware success.

Northern League winners Marske United FC were 27 points behind Morpeth, but went on a 13-game unbeaten run in just 23 days to win the Northern League and promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier League.

It was an equally stunning season for Redcar Athletic. The team is now in the Northern League, the second oldest league in the world, for the first time since 1922.

Redcar had to win their final game of the season against Gateshead to guarantee the Wearside League Championship and promotion. They went on to win 7-0 and walked off the pitch as champions.

Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Dennis Teasdale, paid tribute to both clubs at a special reception in the Mayor’s Parlour at Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart.

Cllr Teasdale, who played non-league football himself until the age of 44, said: “Both teams have done the area proud.

"This reception is just a small thank you to both clubs for doing so well and achieving so much, and also to wish both teams the very best for the season ahead.”

Malcolm Carver, club secretary at Marske United, thanked the Mayor and said: “We’ve had a really good reaction from the public. We were getting big crowds at the end when it was getting really exciting and we’ve had an increase in season ticket sales. There’s been a real buzz about the place.”

Kevin Fryett, club secretary at Redcar Athletic FC, said: “It’s been really nice to get this recognition. We had a crowd of more than 200 for our first game in the Northern League and I think it’s starting to filter through just what a big thing it is for us to be in the Northern League for the first time in nearly 100 years.”