CAPTAIN Kyle Benedictus has thanked the Athletic fans for “sticking by” the squad and said they deserve the club’s title success “more than anybody”.

Despite missing the final home game with Clyde, which the Pars won 2-1 thanks to Lewis McCann’s stoppage-time winner, the 31-year-old revelled in a “fantastic day” which saw him pick up the League One trophy.

Just over 6,000 fans turned out to watch the champions receive the silverware and their medals after a memorable campaign in which they have become the first Dunfermline side since before the Second World War to complete their home fixtures unbeaten.

Benedictus then returned for Saturday's last match of the season at Alloa Athletic, which they won 2-0, extending their unbeaten league run to 24 matches.

That is a new best, as are the 21 clean sheets in the league - they've kept 24 overall during the campaign - while the 10 and 11 goals conceded at home and away respectively, as well as the 21 overall, are the fewest lost by the club in a league season.

Benedictus, who has been feted with several player of the year accolades, and has been nominated for the PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year, alongside team-mate, Matty Todd, was replaced as skipper for trophy day by Chris Hamilton, but joked: “I said to Hammy, you can walk the boys out, but you’re not lifting the trophy first!

“What a special moment for everybody to be introduced individually, and the fans appreciate them, and we appreciate the fans. It tops it all off.

“They came out in their numbers all season. Somebody, I think it could’ve been big Breeny (Rhys Breen), showed me the stat of the attendances from the home games this season. I think it’s, on average, over 4,000 every game.

“It shows you how much they’ve stuck by us, and they deserve it more than anybody. Obviously it’s been a tough time last year for them, and now let’s see what we can do next year.”

Benedictus, who left Raith Rovers to join Dunfermline, was one of only three permanent signings made by boss, James McPake, after he arrived last summer, alongside Hamilton, and back-up goalkeeper, Max Little.

The centre back’s influence has been a cornerstone of the team’s success, and reflected in the individual accolades he has collected, but the former Dundee player said it has been a collective effort.

“It’s special for me, special for my family, and the wee man (Max, his son),” he said of his awards.

“He was here today. He comes to all the home games, and he’s seen me get the award (the Dunfermline Athletic Supporters Club Player of the Year pre-match). It’s special for him.

“It’s been a great season for everybody. I think anybody can win an award; I think that’s how consistent the boys have been this season.

“That’s the basis of what we’ve done this season. It’s a team game; it’s not about individuals. That’s how good we’ve been this season as a team, and I think we can’t take away from that.

“It’s everybody together.”

Benedictus admitted that, whilst it was “extremely disappointing” not to play in the final home match, having been red-carded in Dunfermline’s previous game at Airdrieonians, he said he “couldn’t be happier” for Hamilton to captain the team - with Max as mascot.

It had been planned he would lead the team out with his dad, but Benedictus said: “He enjoyed it.

“He’s here at all the home home games and comes to some of the away games. For seven-years-old, he said today was the best day of his life. That makes it for me.

“I couldn’t be happier for Hammy and his family. He’s a Dunfermline fan, his whole life, and he’s not led the boys out this year. To go and do it today, I’m over the moon for his family.

“I thought he was different class and I never knew he could actually do that (Hamilton played at centre back), or I might have been rested a couple more games!

“It’s a great occasion for everybody involved in the club, I am just happy for everybody.”