And it doing so they extended their unbeaten sequence of games to five from which 11 points has been gained.

The only club with continual membership of the Supreme Division since its formation, Heanor brought their total number of games in the competition to 758.

Their full record in the competition reads:

Pl 758 W 382 D 142 L 234 F 1524 A 1071 Pts 1288

During their 22-year tenure Heanor have been champions twice, runners-up three times, finished in the top six 13 times, won the League Cup twice and been runners-up twice and also winners of the League’s Floodlit Cup in a two-legged final against Borrowash Victoria when the competition was known as the BE Webbe Cup.

In 1995 the Lions won the Supreme Division championship and League Cup double under the managership of Bobby Sykes, on that occasion lifting the League Cup in a thrilling final against Priory (Eastwood) at the Baseball Ground.

Ironically, Bill Fossey was the Priory manager on that occasion, and he was the man who led the Lions to their second championship two seasons later and once again into the League Cup final.

But this time Grimethorpe Miners Welfare emerged with the cup in another thrilling final played at Mansfield Town’s Field Mill home.

Heanor Town supporters have enjoyed some great occasions during this time and in some ways it is always sad when an era comes to an end, but the Lions stay in a division where facilities over the years have declined due to promotions to the Northern Counties East League and a league management committee which has been obsessed with floodlights rather than spectator facilities will not be seen as a great loss by the majority of the club’s away following.

Southwell City, Rolls Royce Leisure, Askern Welfare, Radcliffe Borough and Appleby-Frodingham are just some of the grounds which the faithful Heanor following might not be all that sorry to lose.

Central Midlands League Chairman Frank Harwood has said for many years that Heanor should have been promoted long ago and that the Northern Counties East League’s loss was the Central Midlands League’s gain.

Mr Harwood recently paid tribute to Heanor Town by saying that the club had been a model of consistency in the league in terms of administration, hospitality and help during their entire membership and would be a sad loss to the competition.

But he was delighted for them with their impending promotion and wished them well.

Presentation evening

Mr Harwood, it is understood, will be guest of honour at the club’s presentation evening to be held in the Town Ground social club tomorrow night (Friday) commencing at 7.30pm.

Keeping very tight lipped as to who was in contention for the Supporters’ player of the year award, a committee members said that the presentation would be made on the night and it was also hoped that Steve Travis would also be able to attend in order that an official presentation could be made to him.