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Our congratulations go to Stand Athletic who successfully negotiated a frenetic end of season programme to clinch a third successive league title, following in the footsteps of the great Maine Road side of the 1980's, the Whitefield based side now look set for promotion to the North West Counties Football League after attaining all the qualification requirements necessary.

Wythenshawe Amateurs finished as runners-up despite losing only three league matches all season, and they will be very pleased with a great season which saw them claim some consolation when they defeated Stand 1-0 in the Gilgryst Cup Final thanks to a late Andy Walker strike.

Atherton Town faded a little towards the end of an exhausting campaign to finish third by eight points, and also inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Champions Stand to end their season on a high.

In fourth place were Mitchell Shackleton who once again proved to be a very durable and skilful outfit under the watchful eyes of Dave Rowan.

Just behind them were East Manchester whose season never really got going after a phenomenal start to the season with Mike Norton in freescoring form, but they did reach the semi-finals of the Manchester Challenge Trophy and Gilgryst Cup.

Sixth place went to Failsworth Town who recovered superbly to climb above half the Division in a great end of season run-in, dropping only two points from the last 33 available, and the Long Lane side could emerge as a real force next season.

Willows too were a side to watch, enjoying their best season ever to finish seventh largely thanks to the goalscoring form of Jamie Shepley who ended the Premier Division leading marksman with 25 goals.

Dukinfield Town endured a roller-coaster season with goals at a premium, though they did reach the Fourth Round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup.

Likewise, Prestwich Heys started well with their crop of talented youngsters, but their form dipped at the end of the campaign when a top half finish looked likely.

Sacred Heart, after looking likely top four material early on in the season, dropped off sharply finish in tenth position, taking only five out the last 27 points, but this was still a solid start to Premier Division life for the Rochdale side.

Monton Amateurs flickered into life at the end of a difficult season to claim three straight wins, whilst Elton Fold and Springhead drew far too many games to make inroads up the table but finished well clear of the bottom two positions.

Stockport Georgians again struggled, but showed a mean streak on occasions to perhaps indicate better times are around the corner whilst Pennington finished bottom of the pile after a campaign collecting only three league wins.

Congratulations also go to newboys Leigh Athletic who romped to the First Division title after a great season which saw them lose only one league game after the 26th August. The free-scoring form of Danny and Rick Wilson played a crucial part in their success, with a handful of players also getting into double figures.

The runners-up spot went to New Mills after a nervous end of season in which they had to win five of their last six matches go second, and to add to a great campaign at Church Lane, the Millers also collected the Derbyshire Divisional Cup and were beaten finalists in the Murray Shield.

It is hard not to feel sympathy for Breightmet United who had a superb campaign, but finished in third place despite garnering 67 points, ten points clear of fourth placed Hindsford. United were the only side to defeat Leigh after August in a league fixture to underline the quality at the club.

Hindsford looked on course for a top two place, but a dramatic fall off in form and goalscoring left them looking to next season.

Similarly, Whitworth Valley, who were many people's favourite for promotion, saw vital games slip away from them towards the end of the season.

Wythenshawe Town boasted the League's leading goalscorer in Darren Mee, but conceded too many to get amongst the front-runners but look a good bet for a more sustained challenge next season.

Belden staged a remarkable second half recovery to rise from the basement to eighth, as well as picking up the Manchester Challenge trophy.

Whalley Range were the season's most improved side and were unlucky not to finish in the top half, whlist Wilmslow Albion gained some consolation for their inconsistent league form in claiming the Murray Shield by beating New Mills 2-1.

Tintwistle Villa could not get going in a stop-start campaign, but showed plenty of quality, and Hollinwood finished in a creditable tenth position in a season blighted by postponements.

Ashton Athletic showed some good defensive qualities during a solid season, but Avro will be disappointed not have built on last term's success this time around.

Manchester Royal put aside off field problems to finish outside the bottom two, where Old Alts and Milton ended the campaign, but both sporadically burst into life with some good wins.

Wythenshawe Amateurs won the Second Division title from Springhead in a close contest, whilst Wilmslow Albion ran away with the Third Division title, Willows claiming the runners-up spot in a close run battle with Sacred Heart.

Leigh Athletic added to the First Division title with an Open Trophy victory over East Manchester in a nail-biting encounter which Leigh won 3-2.