Player-managers Tom Hubbard and Jimmy Howe win a title in their first season as managers of Uppingham Town

A title triumph in their first season as managers after reluctantly taking the helm has exceeded all expectations at Uppingham Town.

Player-bosses Tom Hubbard and Jimmy Howe are celebrating their maiden campaign as the club's management team by leading Town to the Peterborough League Premier Division title.

It is a third crown in four seasons for the Rutland club with Hubbard and Howe succeeding the successful Paul Sheehan in the close season.

They were aiming for a top six finish after taking the reins but Town have lost just one league game all season ahead of their final match at Crowland Town tonight (Tuesday).

"It's made it even more special, being our first year in management," said Hubbard.

"The lads have been tremendous for us. We couldn’t have asked for any more. They’ve backed us from day one.

"Ultimately it’s all about the players and for the hard work and effort they’ve put, it’s thoroughly deserved for each and every one of them.

"Management kind of came around not through choice, because when Paul Sheehan stepped down, no one really came forward to take it on.

"It got to a stage where me and Jimmy got together and said we’re probably going to have to do this because nobody else has stepped in, so for it to work so well has been beyond belief.

"Our aim was to keep ticking along and maybe try and finish in the top six but,as the season progressed, we realised we were in with a chance of winning it and to get over the line was unbelievable."

Town clinched the league title by beating their final game opponents in their first meeting at Tod's Piece.

Uppingham were 4-3 winners with veteran Martin Turiccki scoring a late winner.

It was the 37-year-old’s second goal of the afternoon, having earlier given Town a 2-1 lead after Sam Blackwell’s opener was cancelled out.

Crowland, the only other side still in contention to win the title before kick-off, went on to lead 3-2.

But Harley Pridmore’s penalty made it 3-3 and one-club man Turiccki secured the title with five minutes remaining.

"It was crazy," said goalkeeper Hubbard. "The game had everything.

"It was one of those you’d love to watch back.

"As a goalkeeper, you don’t want to be involved in too many 4-3s but it was great for everybody watching because we had a massive crowd in and to give them that entertainment and result, it was perfect."

As in their previous title-winning seasons, Uppingham’s ground doesn’t meet the requirements for promotion.

They’ve long accepted that’s the case, so sustained success at step seven continues to be the aim.

"To get a new set-up somewhere else would be so expensive and such hard work, it’s not on the cards at the minute,” said Hubbard.

"That’s not the end of the world because, if you go up to step six or step five, it gets even harder from a commitment point of view and cost point of view.

"We’ve accepted as a club that this is our level and we’re just having a good few years.

"A lot of people say to us it’s such a shame you can’t go up, do you think you can do anything about getting promoted?

£I think the answer’s no, to be honest.

"Because of the size of club we are, it’s kind of the limit for us.

"All we can do is carry on trying to compete at this level and enjoy it while we’re doing well.

"The vast majority of the players are local, so everybody understands the situation and where the club is.

"You do get the odd player, especially younger ones, who come in with ambitions to play higher, so you lose one or two each year.

"But we’ve had a good core of young players this season and they’ve thoroughly enjoyed their time here.

"Time will tell what they decide to do but it’s a great environment to be in, with a good mix of age groups.”

Town will receive their trophy after the match at Crowland tonight having completed their campaign with two games against their title challengers.

"It’s absolutely bizarre that our last two games of the season should be against the same team and especially the team that's been pushing us all season," said Hubbard.

"It’ll be nice to go there with nothing on the line, knowing we can enjoy the night."