THE head coach of Bayside Ladies has said that "feeling proud is an understatement" after they were crowned league winners.

Ross Wortley revelled in what he described as a "phenomenal" success after his team secured the SWFL (Scottish Women's Football League) North/East title at the weekend.

In their first full season together, Bayside have enjoyed a superb campaign, racking up 11 wins and a draw from their 13 league matches, scoring 59 goals in the process, as well as reaching the first-ever SWFL League Cup final.

With two matches to play either side of that showpiece match against Bishopton on November 21 at Livingston's Tony Macaroni Arena, they cannot be caught following the postponement – and subsequent awarding – of their match with Dryburgh Athletic under-21s on Sunday.

Speaking to Press Sport this week, Wortley enthused: "It's just an overwhelming sense of pride.

"Feeling proud is an understatement. I'm lost for words!

"It is our first season together and, with the way we want to play, the players have bought into it. The young ones as well, we've pushed them hard, and what we've achieved is just phenomenal.

"To be honest, this group of players thoroughly deserve it. They've put in the hard work and effort all season to get into this position.

"It's obviously not the way we would have wanted to win it. They wanted to win it on a final whistle, which is understandable, but I just said to them that you've put yourselves in this position. Take nothing away from them.

"I'm so proud of every single one of them. To win the league, and get to a cup final, is unbelievable."

A mix of younger and more experienced players, blended together by a strong team bond, has been key to Bayside's success according to Wortley, who continued: "Even though we got some experienced players in, I didn't expect this to happen. We started from scratch but we've all worked at it.

"The team spirit, right from the start, has been unbelievable. Every single player has got talent but sometimes you can't show that in a game and you need to knuckle down and battle.

"Yeah, you want to play fancy, one- and two-touch stuff, but sometimes you can't do that. It's good that they've got that other side to their game.

"To me, it's all down to the players. Sure, they've bought into my philosophy and ethos, but it's up to them when they go on the park. We give them the tools but it's up to them to use them."

Bayside travel to Westdyke Thistle on Sunday and will receive the trophy after their final match of the season, which is against East Fife Development at Pitreavie on November 28.

"It's all still sinking in," Wortley added.

"It'll hit home when we're presented with the trophy after the game with East Fife.

"I did shed a wee tear when we got confirmation. It meant a lot."