CHICKERELL United captain Liam Miles says winning the Dorset Senior League is a “very special” moment for him.

The defender, who has spent the majority of his footballing career with the Chickens, lifted the trophy for the side on Saturday, as the club concluded the season with a 1-0 defeat at home to Witchampton United.

Speaking to the Dorset Echo, Miles said although he’d won the title with the club before, this year was different as it saw a new generation coming through the ranks.

“For me, it’s very special,” he said. “I’ve been at the club for the best part of 20 years. I’ve won the league four times, but this is a new set of players.

“We had a team of established players who went up to the Dorset Premier League, but came back down due to unforeseen circumstances. But this is like a new start for us, and it looks good.

“It’s been a rebuild for Chickerell as a club,” Miles added. “We’ve come on well.

"It’s been a slow progression. Hopefully we’ll improve and improve for next season.”

The Chickens confirmed their title victory in the penultimate game of the season against Gillingham Reserves.

An action-packed 3-3 draw meant they couldn’t be caught by second-placed Gillingham ahead of their final fixture.

Despite finishing top of the league, the pitch size at The Stalls restricts Chickerell from applying for promotion to the Dorset Premier League.

“We can’t go up because of the pitch, which is a shame,” said Miles.

“But the club are working on that, and hopefully, for the future, it looks good.”

Reflecting on the season overall, the captain believes his “solid” side all deserve praise and that there weren’t any individuals that stood out more than the next.

“A lot of the senior players have had their moments. We’ve got four or five players in their thirties in there, so we’re quite an old side.