There were smiles all around at Bernard Park yesterday after North Village had romped to their seventh Premier Division championship.

But none bigger than that on the face of North Village president Shervin Dill.

And with the club's Under-18 team having also clinched division honours earlier, Dill had double reason to celebrate.

"This is absolutely wonderful and I must give thanks to the Almighty for the blessings he continues to bestow upon us," said Village's elder statesman. "We've won the league championship three times in the last five years and today is a double celebration for us because our junior side won their division as well."

Dill said consistency was the key to the club's success.

He also heaped praise on first-year coach Dwayne (Streaker) Adams and assistant Maceo Dill.

"I'm very happy for them having achieved this championship in their very first year for being so successful," he said. "I am also very grateful to all the players, support staff and fans, the game-face family in particular.

"I am grateful to all of them for their continued commitment towards helping us to be champions."

Former Village stalwart and coach Wendell (Woolly) Baxter also paid tribute to the newly-crowned champions.

"I used to tease these guys that they could never be as good as we used to be back in the day," Baxter smiled. "But they have definitely proven over the last ten years or so that they actually have more than we ever had. And I am really happy for them."

The former Reds and Bermuda sweeper, who prefers to help behind the scenes these days, then encouraged the club's current bunch to gun for the elusive triple crown of League, FA Cup and Friendship Trophy.

The last local club to achieve the feat were Vasco da Gama in 1997.

Village skipper Kentoine Jennings, who won a sixth league championship medal yesterday, was a member of the former Portuguese giants before they disbanded after the 2000 season.

" I hope these guys can go all the way," Baxter continued. "They deserve it. They have been playing well and seemingly enjoying themselves and so I wish them all the best."

Jubilant Village coach Adams added: "Today was a job well done. But we still have another job to do. We still have the Friendship and FA Cup to play for."

Adams was a member of Village's 2002 FA Cup and League championship side that narrowly missed out on achieving the triple crown when they lost to PHC Zebras in the Friendship Trophy final at the National Sports Centre.

"These are some of the things myself as coach is now looking towards achieving," Adams said. "Now we have to come up with a new game plan for the remainder of the season. But today belongs to us."