Stokesley SC may be nine points off the top but they are confident of challenging all the way for the championship and progressing in cup competitions.

"I firmly believe that the race for the title will go right to the wire and any one of seven clubs could win it," declared Stokesley manager Ted Watts who is in his third full season in charge.

"We have still to play most of the contenders and having beaten Redcar Town twice - their only defeats - we believe that we are capable of going all the way although unlike some clubs, we will not be disappointed if we do not end in pole position."

Watts took over more than three years ago and the side finished third bottom in the Teesside League but a season later they were fourth top. The move into the Wearside League proved hugely successful and in their first year Stokesley were second and last year equipped themselves very well in the restructured one division.

The manager, though, is not resting on his laurels and before the season started set a target of a top five position.

"We never expected back in August that we would win the league and to do so would be a tremendous achievement. We are looking to the future and hopefully will improve year on year especially if our younger players continue to develop," enthused Watts.

In their last match, Stokesley had seven junior players in their squad but success has brought problems in that clubs are currently looking to take three players.

"I am hoping the trio will stay with us and that all the players will appreciate that we are ambitious. I recently signed Lee Escritt from Nunthorpe to bolster the squad and am looking to bring in a couple of players with Albany Northern League experience but the future of the club rests with the younger lads," claimed Watts.

Besides their interest in the League championship, Stokesley have reached the quarter finals of four cup competitions.

Tomorrow, they visit Harton and Westoe in the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup and next week hope to complete a treble when they entertain Redcar Town in the North Riding County Cup.

In addition they are still involved in the League Cup and the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup.

"We are a much more professional club and geared to success. For example, we have introduced a dress code this season and it is initiatives like this which hopefully prove where we are going.

"The club is in with a great chance of bringing some silverware home but whatever happens this has been another season of progress," claimed the manager.