FOOTBALL fans lined the streets on Saturday morning to salute the heroic Nantwich Town players.
Players and club officials paraded the FA Vase trophy they convincingly won at St Andrews stadium in Birmingham on May 6 around the town on an open-top bus.
The bus toured the streets twice to allow fans to pay tribute to the team in green and white colours before dropping the players off at Nantwich Civic Hall for a buffet and reception.
The victorious squad marched into the Civic Hall to the tune of We Are The Champions by Queen. Club chairman Clive Jackson said: 'We were all pleasantly surprised by the turnout but to be fair the people of Nantwich have been great all the way through the competition.
'They have taken the team to heart and the team have taken them to heart. It meant a lot to the players to see so many people honouring them.
'Premiership players may earn an awful lot more money but even some of them won't get a civic reception like this.'
Striker Matt Blake, 24, a student from Shavington, said: 'I had a really great day. There were people young and old lining the streets. I felt like a superstar.
'It was definitely the biggest occasion of my career. It was really special to meet the mayor and chairman of the town council and have 28 members of my family there.'
Centre-back Richard Smith, 23, who is an accountant, said: 'This is something I never thought I would ever get the chance to do. It's the sort of thing you see at home on Sky Sports. I'll never forget it.
'We really enjoyed the reception and it hit home just how much this means to the town.'
Manager Steve Davis said: 'Nantwich is a growing place and people are starting to realise they have a very good team on their doorstep. We've really demonstrated the family and community feel of our club through this cup run.
'Saturday was an honour for us all. It was great to receive a plaque, which is a nice keepsake. I just hope we can still get the support the players deserve every week.
'On a personal level this means more to me than anything I achieved as a professional player.'
Nantwich Town Council chairman Steve Hope said: 'I am extremely pleased the club enjoyed the reception. It is the first time the town council has ever given a civic reception to anyone.
'The team has really put us on the map for sport, which adds to the name Nantwich has countrywide for food, drink and music. This town is becoming even more popular.'
The players were then invited to the Mayor's parlour at the Municipal buildings in Crewe. Mayor of Crewe and Nantwich, Howard Curran and his deputy Maurice Jones greeted them.
Cllr Curran said: 'Being a football fan for many years, I regard this a fantastic achievement. It is one of the greatest awards in non-league football.
'They were the underdogs in every game but they always came out on top.'
