CRADLEY director Nigel Pearson has sung the praises of boss Will Pottinger after seeing the club hand over the National League title to Birmingham.

Pottinger was feeling low after the weekend defeat at Buxton and came under fire from some supporters on social media.

But Pearson says Pottinger’s work often goes unnoticed and much of the club’s success in the last six years is down to him.

“I spoke to Will on Sunday night by telephone and if I could have seen him I’m sure he was close to tears,” said Pearson.

“He’s Cradley through-and-through, like myself; supported them at Dudley Wood as a kid, like me; it means so much to him.

“How can people realistically expect this club to win the title every year? In six seasons we’ve finished top of the league four times and won the title twice. This year is a blip.

“Will’s work is excellent, the lads respond to him and he stays calm when others around him are losing patience.”

Cradley are scheduled to face Birmingham in the Gold Cup semi-final after Brummies boss Graham Drury picked them out.

The Heathens will race the away leg at Perry Barr on September 16 with the return — also at Perry Barr — on September 23.

It means the rivals will do battle over 30 heats to reach a major final and after one win each in the league clashes between the sides it promises to be tense.

Pearson said: “I received a call from Graham Drury early on Monday morning after the Brummies won the league at Mildenhall.

“He informed me they had selected ourselves as opponents for the Gold Cup and we quickly agreed dates, which was fairly simple as we share Perry Barr Stadium.

“As a club, everyone at the Heathens would like to congratulate Birmingham on their league championship success, we know how they feel after our titles in 2013 and 14.

“It’s a magnificent achievement, but we are determined to beat the champions in the Gold Cup. We are sure there will be plenty of interest in these meetings, nothing would give us greater pleasure than to put the Brummies out of the competition.

“We’ve had some really good meetings with them this season and I feel certain these will be no different.”