SCOTT Dignan admits this season has been his best in management after his Knutsford side completed a league-and-cup double, writes Matt Turner.

Saturday’s 3-0 win over Congleton VR at Manchester Road wrapped up the Cheshire League title with five games to spare.

They added their fourth title in seven seasons to the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup they won last month for the first time in their history.

Co-manager Dignan, who picks the team alongside Paul Riley, admits things have not been better in both of their managerial careers.

“This is the best season, for both of us,” he told the Guardian.

“Dave Schofield who has come in with us says he has never experienced a season like this either.

“Paul and I have played at a very good standard, but as managers this has to be the best we’ve both had.

“The Cheshire Cup win was an amazing achievement and you always want to try and win your league, but to win them both is unprecedented.

“Other managers in this area, all the way over to Liverpool, all set their stall out to compete and have a solid side.

“We’re consistently there or thereabouts. We are the benchmark.

“We didn’t fluke either competition we won. We won it because we are the best side.

“We’ve done a lot of planning and prepping and it shows with where we’re at now.

“The squad is fantastic, probably the best one I’ve had in my four years here.

“It’s the same with Paul as well. He’s said that, even when he won the league with Linotype Cheadle, he never had a squad like this.

“This is what we planned for 11 months ago when we started our pre-season in June.”

Saturday’s win was their 20th of the Premier Division campaign.

They followed that with a 5-1 win against Linotype Cheadle – co-manager Riley’s former club – on Tuesday night.

Dignan explained what makes this Reds squad more special than others he’s had in his four-year reign at Manchester Road.

“Every player in that squad is a winner. They are used to winning,” he said.

“Even games like when we went to Mallaby in the Cheshire Cup and we’ve gone behind, the character in that dressing room means we can grind out results.

“They are very professional. You give them instructions and they just go and do it.

“We aren’t having to shout things on the touchline because they just know what they need to do themselves.”

Reds travel to Poynton tonight, Thursday, kick off 7pm before home games against Billinge on Saturday, kick off 3pm, and Poynton again on Tuesday, kick off 7pm.