DAVE FELGATE has beaten 'em all this season -- including Old Father Time.

Leigh RMI's golden goalkeeper is a spritely 40.

And going strong. Just like RMI!

The new Unibond Premier League champions brought the home curtain down on the club's most successful season in their 102-year history with Bank Holiday Monday's 2-0 victory against Blyth Spartans.

It was their 27th win of the campaign, 15 at home, stacking up 89 points en route.

And they have kept 19 clean sheets in all competitions -- a tribute to a solid defence and to the evergreen Felgate.

He has played in 58 matches through the season, missing just one.

"To be promoted to the Conference is a brilliant effort," said the former Wales and Bolton Wanderers star. "I would have never believed it at the start of the season, but we are a lot stronger this term."

RMI's biggest home crowd of the season created a carnival atmosphere at Hilton Park with the championship trophy handed over before the match.

Striker Brian Ross has seen it all before. But this, he insisted, was special. "It is my third championship," he said. "But this means just as much as my first.

"It is good to be playing with lads who have won it for the first time."

Former Manchester City, Everton and West Ham star Mark Ward reckons whatever league you are in coming out on top is still the priority.

"No matter what the standard, winning the championship is the ultimate achievement," he said. "It will be a big step up for us, but if we could get a crowd like today on a regular basis it would definitely help."

Former Wigan Athleic striker Tony Black was one of the players manager Steve Waywell thought he had to persuade to stay and give the Conference a go.

NOT SO NOW!

"I'll admit I didn't fancy it at the start of the season," said Black. "But I have changed my mind. In fact, I think this club is big enough to go into the Football League."

Although Blyth provided a guard of honour as RMI took the field they came to spoil the party -- and for 45 minutes did just that. The nearest RMI came to scoring was an Eddie Turkington header that rattled the bar, sandwiched between Black miss-kicking with the goal at his mercy and blasting into the side netting.

At the other end Felgate tipped over brilliantly from Willie Moat.

The anxious crowd had to wait until the 70th minute for a goal.

And, just like buses, two came at once.

Brian Butler's free kick was perfect for Ricky Harris to out-jump the Blyth defence and plant his header past Terry Burke into the far top corner.

Steve Jones and Black then set up sub Neil Matthews to tap home. "It was a low key game after winning the title on Saturday," said Waywell.

"But the crowd responded to the occasion and we need that more often.

"We have a good team on and off the pitch and this should just be the start for the whole club is geared for success."

RMI wrap up their champagne season on Saturday with a trip to Worksop.

Our picture shows Peter Cumsky, battling for the ball in Monday's encounter