Player/manager Duncan Pardoe is a happy man after achieving a long-held ambition with Cheltenham Civil Service Veterans.

His team, who were formed 11 years ago, have been crowned champions of the Gloucestershire Veterans’ League North Division 1 for the first time.

Pardoe set up the team and he told The Local Answer: “I’m thrilled to bits.”

Service finished a point ahead of defending champions Shurdington Rovers and Hardwicke in the 12-team division after being given a walkover by Tuffley Rovers in their final game.

That game against Tuffley should have been played on Sunday – Shurdington were also given a walkover in their final game – and Pardoe admitted: “I feel a bit cheated not to have won it on the pitch. I’ve been waiting 11 years for this.”

It doesn’t detract from their achievement, of course, after winning nine and drawing one of their 11 games.

Pardoe is already looking ahead to next season, although he knows it won’t be easy to win back-to-back titles.

“We’ll be the hunted team as opposed to Shurdington,” he said. “Shurdington and Hardwicke will again be challenging and Quedgeley are always strong.”

More immediately, Pardoe is looking forward to celebrating their title win this weekend.

“We’re meeting at the clubhouse at 3pm on Sunday,” he said. “I’ve got Monday off work, everyone’s invited.

“We’re hoping it’s going to be a double celebration because the women’s team need just a point to win their division.”

Cheltenham Civil Service Ladies, who won the GFA Women’s Challenge Cup earlier this month, travel to Ellwood Ladies for a County Women’s League Division One clash on Sunday (2pm) in what is their final game of the campaign.

Ellwood are ninth in the 10-team division.