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Avenue followed up their club of the month award by securing the UniBond Division One North title. Unibond representative Mark Ogilvy, right, congratulates club chairman John Dean

Avenue boss Dave Cameron would not allow his squad to get sidetracked this week, insisting they focus fully on Saturday's fixture at Rossendale United - despite being handed the UniBond Division One North title on a plate.

After Monday's home victory over play-off hopefuls Ossett Albion put Avenue's championship challenge back on track, the spotlight turned to rivals FC United and Curzon Ashton as they played on Wednesday.

Both duly dropped points, so Avenue were confirmed as champions, yet Cameron - who did not even listen to the midweek results - insisted: "It changes nothing in my mind. I want us to go out in style with a win.

"I'm delighted we are there but there's one final push and I have told the lads they have to concentrate 100 per cent. I said it after the Ossett game and I will be saying it again on Saturday - do not let yourselves down', because the club deserves the best.

"But it will be a tough game, given that our club beat Rossendale 9-0 in the reverse fixture. That was before I took over but I know the opposition will be using it as motivation for this weekend's game.

"If I was the manager of Rossendale I would looking for revenge. I would be saying to my players come on, let's show this lot that we can be a match for them' and I think they will try to spoil our party."

The win over Ossett, who had just reclaimed fifth place and were desperate to consolidate their place in the play-off zone, featured the surprise return of Avenue skipper Steve Connors.

Cameron said: "It was nice to see him back. I don't want to make the lad big-headed but I think if he had been fit we wouldn't have gone to the final week before we won the title.

"I made the decision on the team bus on the way to the ground. I looked at him and said you are playing'. He looked a bit taken aback and said he wasn't sure if he was fit. I told him the minute we got to Horsfall Stadium he would be having a fitness test and I was so sure that he would make it I told him to get his kit on while I put his name on the team-sheet. It paid off, as he was as influential as ever."

Avenue's last success was in 2000/01 and they are expecting many fans to travel to Rossendale's Dark Lane ground in Newchurch for the title celebration.

Directions: M62 west, M60, M66 north towards Burnley. At Rawtenstall follow A682 (Burnley), at first traffic lights turn right into Newchurch Road. After one mile turn right into Staghills Road, the ground is 800 yards on the right.

12:17pm Thursday 24th April 2008

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