TRIUMPHANT skipper Nasser Malik has dedicated his side's Senior League title victory to president and Blackburn Northern stalwart Arthur Shaw.

The Pleckgate Road side clinched their first Senior crown in 26 years after victories over rivals Baxenden and Great Harwood saw the title return to Northern for the fifth time in their history.

And Malik, whose side completed the double after winning the Ramsbottom Cup last month, said they did it for their biggest fan.

He said: "That was our motivation in the last few weeks of the season.

"Whenever we lost a game, I told the players we weren't doing it for us - we were doing it for Arthur.

"So when he presented us with the trophy on Sunday, I gave it straight back to him!

"He's supported the league and the club for so long and our success is for Arthur Shaw and all the people that support us."

The turning point of the season came at Back Lane on Saturday when Northern scored a telling win over big rivals Baxenden.

Malik added: "It was a really up and down game. We both could have won it and lost it twice because the game fluctuated that much.

"We started like a train but they pegged us back and it went on like that and we were really pleased to come out on top in the end.

"Baxenden are a really good side and it's been fun locking horns with them this season. I have a lot of respect for them.

"I'm just glad we've got some silverware because I think the lads have deserved it for their efforts this season.

"We've enjoyed this campaign but the planning now starts for next season."