ST JOSEPH'S crashed 4-0 to Queen's Park in the Cheshire Sunday Cup final at Vauxhall Motors.
They took a following of 250, more than half of the 400-strong crowd, and were more upset to have let their supporters down than with their defeat.
They were hit hard in the very first tackle from which Lee Jones emerged injured and soon had to leave the pitch.
They were 2-0 down at the break and gave a much brighter performance after the break.
Secretary Robert Dooley said: 'They were a decent side, but we froze. We are convinced that on another day we could have beaten them.
'Our support was fantastic. One thing for sure - we are going back next year to win it.'
Striker Joey Roberts and defender Simon Wilson turned in the best displays.
PMI Health Group and Mid Cheshire Pallets sponsored the supporters' coaches.
And in St Joseph's absence rivals Saxon's won the Mid Cheshire Sunday League championship with a big finish. Unbeaten all season, they saved the best till last, walloping Rifleman 8-0, which leaves St Joseph's with the runners-up spot.
With one game remaining, Division One winners Coachman also look like surviving the season without a defeat.
Broadhurst are making long services presentations at Rudheath Social Club on Sunday (1.15pm) and invite present and former players to attend.
Premier: Saxon's 8 Rifleman 0; Rudheath 3 Pockets 2.
Sunday: Cranford v Pockets,
Rudheath v St Joseph's, Rifleman v Chapel's Wine Bar, Middlewich Town SC v Saxon's.
Division One: Wharf 0 Coachman 2.
Sunday: Wharf v Holmes Chapel, Coachman v Goostrey.
Division Two: Bull's Head 2 Pillar of Salt 7; Bowling Green 4 Oaklands 6; WCC Wdrs 3 Lion Sandbach 1. Sunday: Bull's Head v Weaverham Chapel's, Pillar of Salt v Beech Tree.
