Deveronvale were presented with the "Scot Ads Highland League" trophy after Saturday's triumph over neighbours Huntly in front of a jubilant seven hundred strong supporter who had held back after the ninety minutes to see there side collect the coveted award.
The changing weather didn't perturb the large number of fans who invaded the pitch after the final whistle to see their heroes, called on one by one, receive their winner's medals before Scott Anderson and Nigel Montgomery stepped up together to lift the silverware as team & club captain respectively.
Parents, children, supporters (young and old) backroom staff and officials all cheered each and every player individually as they quite rightly took their bow in the front row of the grandstand before the players and management mingled with the crowd for autographs and personal photographs.
There was a small matter of ninety minutes of football to be played before the celebrations could commence and it ended just as dramatically as the previous week at Inverurie with Vale sneaking a late, late winner to see off their league campaign in style.
Ninety league goals for, only twenty-four against, sixty-nine points and just one defeat over the piece is statistics which each and every Vale player should be very proud of and will remain in the memories of all the "Valley Crew" for many years to come.
Huntly travelled the short distance to Banff managerless after the recent resignation of Fraser Kellas but were determined to spoil Vale's party even though some might have thought they were only there to make up the numbers and may just go through the preverbal motions with nothing but pride left to play for this season.
Vale on the other hand had next Saturday's League Cup final to look forward to and were determined to keep their unbeaten run going in front of their large home support. Gregg Carrol made just one change to his starting eleven from last Saturday when he favoured the available again after suspension, Mark Chisholm in the midfield over Nigel Montgomery, who dropped to the substitutes bench.

The Huntly players sportingly clapped their hosts onto the field before they kicked off the match in brilliant Banffshire sunshine.
It was Vale however who were quickest out of the traps and a 2nd minute goalmouth scramble ended with Henderson clearing for a corner after Bremner had done well to initially part clear under pressure from Murray. Although the Strathbogie outfit cleared the danger the homeside forced a second flag kick moments later and Robbie Brown should have at least worked the keeper when he met Dolan's centre inside the six-yard box only to head wide of the upright when unmarked.
McPherson tested Speirs at the other end but his headed flick was well watched and consequently smothered by the Vale number one. Bremner denied McKenzie with a fine stop after the lively looking striker made room at the edge of the area before unleashing a decent effort goal wards. Dolan fresh-aired when in a good position to meet Kinghorn's diagonal pass before Hendry came to the visitor's rescue with a great piece of defending. A super flowing move involving Dolan, Stephen and finally McKenzie looked sure to unlock the Huntly door when Mike's strike beat Bremner all ends up only for Hendry to pop-up on the goal line to clear a certain goal.
Moment's later Murray's close footwork inside the Huntly 18-yard box forced another fine stop from Bremner when the big keeper flung himself at Molby's shot to somehow deflect it over the top. A last ditch tackle from Campbell broke up another free-flowing Vale move before a blatant hand-ball inside the box by Gillies went unpunished by referee Eric Robertson, who waved play on obviously unsighted by the piece of volleyball by the Huntly number four.
Brown was next to attempt to make the breakthrough for the homeside but again Bremner proved too good when he spread himself well to thwart the Vale midfielder with his legs. Guild had a good chance to give the visitors the lead on a rare Huntly attack but sliced well wide of the target from the edge of the area. Bremner pulled off another fine save from Brown at the expense of a corner and as the resultant flag-kick was partially cleared to the edge of the area Stephen weighted a fine pass back in behind the Huntly rearguard to find Mike McKenzie through on Bremner. As the keeper collided with the inrushing Vale striker McKenzie hit the deck and this time referee Robertson showed no hesitation and pointed straight to the spot. Ian Murray, looking for his forty-eighth of the season, blotted his otherwise immaculate season long copybook when blazed the penalty award well over the top and another chance went a begging for the Banffers.
A great solo run into Huntly's penalty box from Steve Dolan ended with Bremner pulling off yet another super save when it again looked as though Vale would take the lead, in a very one-sided first forty-five, until the big keeper pushed Dippy's rising effort over the cross bar

Unfortunately a heavy downpour greeted the players as they trotted out for the second half and may have put a slight damper on the carnival atmosphere as mothers and children rushed for much needed shelter from the changing elements. On the pitch however Vale continued where they left off and were eventually awarded for their efforts with the first goal of the afternoon. Mike McKenzie won a free kick 30 yards from goal and dusted himself down before taking the set piece hitting a thundering low drive goal wards. Bremner got down well to the ball but couldn't hold it and Robbie BROWN said thank you very much when he tapped the spillage home from close range. McPherson's effort at the other end was deflected for a corner but the home defence stood strong and cleared the danger.
Speirs then picked up a McAllister pass back and was rightly punished by Robertson who booked the keeper before awarding the visitors an indirect free kick inside Vale's penalty box but Speirs redeemed himself when he was first to the set-piece, punching Farmer's centre to safety. Kinghorn and McKenzie both had efforts, which failed to threaten Bremner's goal before the latter was denied by a brave piece of goalkeeping from the Huntly number one who was quickly off his line to dive at the feet of the Vale number nine as he bore down chasing a McAllister through ball.
Kinghorn had to block a Farmer effort as Huntly grew in confidence and fancied their chances of taking something from the game. Barrie Stephen replaced Darren McAllister and with his first touch found himself hitting the deck following a tackle from behind from Farmer but winning a free kick in the process.
McKenzie's set-piece was equally as fierce as the won which had seen Vale take the lead but that man Bremner was in inspirational form and did brilliantly to save with his feet after a slight deflection en route made the save twice as difficult. Huntly equalised soon after when substitute Eddie Copeland took advantage of some slack defensive play although the veteran midfielder was rather fortunate to score when his strike took a wicked deflection off Bryan Dlugonski before beating Speirs low at his near post.
McKenzie and Chisholm had decent chances but failed to work Bremner and a draw looked on the cards until super sub Barrie Stephen made Vale's commemorative day complete with a winner with less than two minutes of normal time remaining. McKenzie fed the tricky winger inside the penalty area and after turning his man inside out he calmly slotted the ball past Bremner from 8-yards to end Vale's excellent league campaign with a victory. Copeland did his best to mar the Banffer's day but was very unlucky to see his dipping drive canon off the face of the crossbar with Speirs well beaten.
Steve Dolan was voted sponsor's man-of-the-match with a solid performance in his usual left-back position.

Vale:
#Speirs, Dolan, Kinghorn, Chisholm (Montgomery 86), Dlugonski, Anderson, McAllister (B Stephen 70), Brown, McKenzie, Murray (Taylor 86), L. Stephen
Subs not used: Kidd, Thompson (GK)
Huntly:
Bremner, Campbell, Hendry (Aitchison 64), Gillies, Garioch, D. Henderson, C.Henderson (Copeland 74), Guild, Low, McPherson, #Farmer
Subs not used: De Barros
Referee: E. Robertson

Understandably Gregg Carrol was in party mode after the match, signing autographs and posing for photos, and had little to say about the ninety minutes other than that he thought his side did just about enough to win in a rather boring affair.
Carrol can now look forward to next Saturday's climax with a full bill of health and a confident set of players who have done everything and more that he has asked off them over the term.