WORCESTER Raiders chairman Kevin Jenkins admitted fears over losing the West Midlands League Division One title had given him “sleepless nights” and impacted on his home life.

Four weeks after the campaign ended Raiders were “officially confirmed” as champions after the Football Association (FA) quashed an appeal by rivals Darlaston Town.

Jenkins said it had been an “extremely stressful” period and he was delighted the FA had “seen sense” by awarding the Worcester club the title.

The trophy is set to be handed to manager Karl Gormley and his players at Claines Lane on Saturday at 10am.

“The decision was upheld so Worcester Raiders are officially champions,” said Jenkins.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet and won’t until we have actually got our hands on the trophy.”

READ MORE | Bustleholme brawl could still cost Raiders the title

The appeal centred around a match between Raiders and Bustleholme on March 19 when a melee broke out involving players, staff of both clubs and members of the crowd.

Raiders led 3-1 when referee Pete Durnall abandoned the clash in the second minute of added time.

A decision on the fixture became decisive when Raiders ended the season two points behind Darlaston at the top of the table.

On May 15, Gormley’s side were awarded the three points when league chiefs opted to warn both clubs over their future conduct rather than scrub the result.

READ MORE | League verdict hands Raiders title-winning points

READ MORE | Chairman: "Justice has been done" over Raiders' title fate

But celebrations were put on ice when Darlaston appealed the decision a day later.

READ MORE | Darlaston Town release statement over league's title-deciding decision 

The FA then adjudicated as to whether its Standard Code of Rules had been applied by the league in allowing the result to stand.

But following a hearing at Wembley yesterday Jenkins said he was contacted by a league official at 12.10pm to confirm the appeal had been upheld.

“It has been extremely stressful,” Jenkins said.

“I have had sleepless nights and couldn’t sleep the night before thinking of the hearing.

“My sleeping pattern is all over the place and my home life has suffered a little bit too.

“To finally put this to an end and to now officially go up into the Premier Division as champions is great.”

Jenkins said the FA found that Bustleholme manager Scott Holden’s decision to run onto the pitch was the reason behind the abandonment.

“We were found guilty by the FA for failing to control fans,” Jenkins said.

“But the league wanted to know how it started and who caused the abandonment.

“The referee, both linesmen and even the FA commission said that if Bustleholme’s manager had not entered the field of play the game would not have been abandoned.

“We have been open and honest with everything we have done as a club. We have had nothing to hide.”

Jenkins added: “The FA have obviously seen sense.

“I had a phone call at 12.10pm from a league representative to tell me we were officially champions and nothing else could be done.

“They will come on Saturday to present us with the trophy and we are going to make a day of it.

“We will finally get what we deserve after all of this toing and froing.”

Jenkins was also keen to thank the club’s coaching staff along with secretary Paul Loader, committee member Adie Wooler, his wife, Mandi Jenkins, and step-daughter, Laura Richards, for all their hard work.

“Without those guys none of this would have happened,” Jenkins said.

“They are all part of this success.”