He who laughs last . . . the Lionschairman is being proved right

Lions centre Will Carrington indulges in a spot of afters in the game against Sheffield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

His side were after all parked in the National League Division Three relegation zone at the time with no wins from their first four games and they had just been whupped 53-0 by Nuneaton.

But Moore had faith in his players and his head coach and now, five months on, his bold prediction isn’t that far wide of the mark.

Saturday’s superb win away at Sheffield was the Lions seventh victory on the trot and it saw them narrow the gap on Sheffield in fourth spot and Birmingham in third place to just a point.

Darren Fox races in for a try against Sheffield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

And current occupants of the runners-up position (Broadstreet), which carries a promotion play-off place, are only seven points ahead of them.

“I told you. I said we would be up there challenging at the end of the season but nobody believed me. You all thought I was mad,” said Moore.

“I knew we had the players and it was just a question of time before they gelled.

“And I knew we had the coach capable of turning it round quickly. Darren Fox has done that and now look at us!

“I can’t believe we’re beating sides of the calibre of Sheffield and Nuneaton.

“They’re established senior clubs steeped in history whereas we’re a tiny little club with a humble base that was playing at Level 10 nine or 10 years ago.

“It’s really quite remarkable what we’re achieving and if we keep performing like we have been doing then who knows where we’ll end up come April.”

Fox not only does the business as a coach, he is still a formidable force as a player.

The ex-Saints star, now 36 years-old, was Saturday’s hero at Sheffield.

He scored two of his side’s three tries in their 24-14 win - Tom Lewis got the other - and Moore was first to sing his praises.

“It was Foxy’s day without a doubt today,” said Moore. “He certainly led by example. He marshals everything up front so well. He does a lot of talking and he also provides plenty of action too.

“And he instils so much confidence in everybody around him. He’s a true winner and capped a great performance with two great tries.”

The Lions are next in action at home to bottom club Syston on March 4.

Lions remaining games:

Mar 4 - Syston (home)

Mar 11 - Bedford Athletic (away)

Mar 25 - Birmingham (home)

Apr 1 - Bridgnorth (away)

Apr 8 - Broadstreet (home)

Apr 22 - Derby (away)