BURY AFC will be crowned champions on Sunday if they beat St Helens Town and manager Andy Welsh is calling on everyone to get behind his side for one last push in their final home game of the season.

Nearest rivals Holker Old Boys have to beat Ilkley Town on Saturday to stand any chance of pipping AFC to the NWCL First Division North title.

But that will be immaterial if AFC beat already relegated Saints 24 hours later and Welsh wants it to be a day to remember at the Neuven Stadium.

“We need everybody there,” Welsh told the club website. “We will be respecting St Helens, we will not be going in to that game with a poor mentality.

“The players will be ready to go on Sunday. We will work very, very hard this week.”

Bury are eight points clear at the top of the table with two games left to play thanks to a hard-fought come-from-behind 2-1 win at play-off chasing Bacup Borough last weekend while Holker’s hopes have faulted in recent weeks, dropping points in their last two games.

Failure to beat Ilkley will hand Bury the title but Welsh is simply focused on what his side is doing and was full of praise for his players efforts at Bacup as goals from Tom Greaves and Ben Wharton sealed victory.

He also praised the fans who made the trip to East Lancashire. “I am very, very proud of my players,” he said. “Very proud of this football club because we have gone a goal down but good teams find a way to win and we found a way to win.

“The turnout (from fans) was immense, they didn’t stop singing all game. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the players.

“We have just got to keep fighting now and keep that intensity and relentless spirit both on and off the field.”

And in an impassioned address to the fans, Welsh added: “This is your club, this is your town, come and support us and get behind us.”