SKIPPER Paul Caddis believes the League Two title is the perfect reward for all the hard work the Swindon squad has put in during a long season.

Manager Paolo Di Canio has worked his players harder than any other team in the league, which has produced by far the fittest squad in the division as well as performances like Saturday’s title-winning 5-0 victory over Port Vale.

Caddis lifted the trophy in front of a packed County Ground at the final whistle, and believes the title proves everything they have been through this season was worthwhile.

“We mentioned in the huddle before the game that we had a long season and had worked really hard, and we went a long time without a day off and we were in from 9am to 7pm, and these are the days that make all that worthwhile,” he said.

“We just had to plant that seed in a few of the boys’ minds, and eventually it all came down to this game.

“The manager is the first to say he is a tough manager and it is his way or no way, but how can you argue with that when we win the league?

“I still see myself as relatively young, and this is the best moment of my career. To captain a side to promotion and the title is amazing, and it really is something else.”

Following a series of poor performances culminating in back to back defeats against Aldershot and Gillingham, Caddis was delighted to get back to winning ways against a spirited Vale side who pushed the champions all the way in the first half.

“The past month we have not been great, and we have ground out a lot of results, but you need to do that in the league if you are going to be successful because you can’t be pretty every week,” he said.

“The second half was great but in the first half we were a little bit nervy because the whole season came down to that game for us to win the league.

“But at half time the gaffer told us to speed things up and the second half was the best we have played in a long time.

“Once we went 2-0 up it was a good cushion, but one goal can change a game, so the relief after we got the third and fourth goal was amazing. We relaxed more and started to play.”