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Dudley Sports manager Neil Perks believes his side's top ten finish in the West Midlands Premier Division is a major step forward.

Perks took full control of first-team matters after joint manager Paul Blakeley left by mutual consent.

The role will not be something new to the manager having occupied the position for more than three years prior to Blakeley's appointment last season.

The Hillcrest Avenue outfit finished the season in their highest ever league position of eighth place.

Had they not being deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player they would have ended in fourth.

Perks said: "I'd like to thank Paul for his help but it was an amicable split.

"It's always difficult when you have two people in charge because there are always going to be some differences in opinion.

"I've been in charge before and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"We've had a good season and have recorded our highest ever league position.

"Since I came here five years ago we have progressed every year and hopefully we will continue this trend next year."

Helping out with coaching will be influential midfielder Lee Lough, who is currently studying for his UEFA coaching badge.

Meanwhile Richard Perks steps up to assistant manager.

Sports have been given a massive boost in their hunt for some silverware after they progressed to the League Cup Final.

Sports were due to host AFC Wulfrunians in the second leg of their semi-final on Tuesday but were given a bye after their opponents were thrown out for playing an ineligible player in the first leg, which ended 2-2.

The final will take place at the Beeches on Saturday May 10.

There they will meet borough rivals Gornal Athletic who beat Wednesfied 1-0 in the second leg to claim a 2-0 aggregate victory Dudley Town finished the season on a high thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Bromyard.

The victory sees The Robins finish fifth in the table.

The lofty league position can be seen as a success for the club who saw manager Dean Whitehouse walk out in December to be replaced by playing duo Rob Perks and Ian Rowe , who are now set to sit down with club officials to discuss their future.

The campaign was also Town's first at their new Dell Stadium home, although for a large chunk of it they were forced to play home games at Lye Town, while their floodlights were brought up to league requirements.

Lye themselves finished the season on a high note.

Town came away from Ludlow with a 4-0 victory.

The triumph means Geoff Moss's men finish the season in a creditable 10th place.

Meanwhile, Brierley Hill and Withymoor still have one more fixture to fulfilafter their game at Pelsall Villa was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on Tuesday evening.

10:44am Thursday 1st May 2008

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