For the Mitcham & Carshalton Rugby Club, the 2019/20 season will be one that lives on for generations to come.

Following 14 consecutive wins in the Surrey Foundation League, the club - which has existed for more than 80 years - finished with an unbeaten record and promotion secured back to Surrey 4.

But this particular triumph began nearly two years ago when the club underwent crisis talks and faced terminal decline.

The club had been on the up and up at the time after planning permission was granted for a new "state of the art facility."

But a half-dozen break-ins left the club needing thousands of pounds worth of repairs and on the verge of collapse.

But the community rallied behind the club and raised more than £6,000 to help it stay afloat.

Now it is reaping the rewards.

"Player membership has doubled in the past twelve months and the club even have managed to field a second team this year, with plans to schedule more games next season," Mitcham & Carshalton chairman Keir Waller said.

"We've come so far in such a short space of time and I couldn't be prouder of the club and the lads. There's been a huge amount of work on the pitch and off it in order to make this happen.

"The committee have been incredible and put such a shift in this season. We also have to thank our sponsors, Rapid Mailing, D N Howard and Princess Prosecco, without whom this season wouldn't have been possible.

"We're already eyeing up Surrey 4 and we don't plan on resting here. Watch this space."

Before the end of the season the club have been drawn into the Surrey 4 Chairman's Shield, where they will take on Haslemere, Wandsworthians and Woking.

Mr Waller added: "All three are Surrey 4 sides, a great test for the club and the opportunity to bring some silverware back to the club."