Gary Charlton’s underdogs hope to bring the League 1 title back to Whitehaven this weekend when a hundreds-strong army of fans follows the team across the country in search of glory.

The Haven boss is leaving his title-chasing side in the capable hands of his coaching staff – Jonty Gorley, Scott McAvoy and Barry Quayle – for Saturday’s title-deciding clash with Coventry Bears as he is due to attend a wedding in Mexico.

But he has every faith that his staff and players will complete the job by securing the league point they need to win the division against the odds after starting the campaign as fifth favourites to finish at the top of the table.

Charlton said: “We have come a long way from where we were at the start of the season.

“The boys’ effort, commitment and determination to do well and work for each other has been great.

“I think we’ve been the most consistent team all year and our form really hasn’t dipped.

“It shows that if you have the right work ethic and determination you can go a long way in this sport.

“Ultimately we have got one game to go.

“I do believe that we have the players in the team that can go and get a win for us but we’ll still have to work hard because nobody gives you anything in this game.

“Once you get used to winning it’s a hard habit to break.”

Gorley and Co will have a fully fit squad to choose from for the clash and a huge travelling support behind them, looking to will them over the line at Rugby.

“I can’t say enough about the fans this year,” Charlton added.

“They’ve grown in numbers, especially away from home, and it’s going to culminate with hopefully 300 out there at the Coventry game.

“I think we were a little bit apprehensive and nervous against Workington, but once we got a draw from that game and then went to Keighley and played like we did in that second half, we felt we could do it.”