I never get bored of winning, it's a wonderful feeling Head coach Chris Mayer

Leicester Ladies head coach Chris Mayer says the current crop of players are the strongest he has had in his nine years at the club.

Mayer's side ensured they will finish top of the Premier League by crushing Olton 8-1 on Saturday.

Recent league changes mean they will have to win the end-of-season play-offs to be crowned title winners.

But Mayer told BBC Sport: "We are as strong now as we've ever been and the depth is the best that we've had."

And he believes his side, who have only drawn one match in an otherwise faultless league season, deserve to be recognised as the best team in the country.

They are already the National Indoor champions, and having ensured top billing in the outdoor league with two matches remaining, they also have the play-offs and cup in their sights.

Mayer, himself a former international player who was part of the Great Britain Olympic side in Atlanta 1996, added: "The girls have done amazingly well throughout the season and deserve it.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking when we started to get so close and I'm glad to get it out of the way a little bit before the end of the season."

Certainly few would argue that a team who have won 15 of their 16 matches - the only "blip" coming in a 1-1 draw with Slough - are not worthy champions.

But the new league format means the play-off winners will be officially crowned title winners.

Crista coming back was a massive boost. She's an awesome athlete; she scores goals and she stops goals Chris Mayer

Mayer has been coaching the side since September 2001 and in that time has guided them to four titles. And this season's efforts means they have finished as table-toppers in four of the last six seasons.

"I never get bored of winning, it's a wonderful feeling," Mayer said.

"The new play-off format means we have so far just finished top of the table this season but it feels like we are the league winners."

Mayer was quick to praise the squad effort in bringing success.

But he also picked out the contribution of Great Britain skipper Crista Cullen, who returned to the side after a year travelling and playing in South Africa, and also Rebecca Herbert who spent 12 months playing in Holland.

"The bulk of the squad have been together for a long time but Crista coming back was a massive boost," Mayer added. "She's an awesome athlete; she scores goals and she stops goals.

"Beckie also scored double figures and goalkeeper Maddy Hinch [a summer signing] was instrumental in us conceding so few goals and giving us confidence at the back.

"Kerry Williams [scorer of four goals in the win over Olton] has been excellent but you could go on and on.

"Abi Harper and Anne Panter have both been injured and we've missed them but apart from those two, we have done pretty well injury-wise and that has also been key to our success."

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Midfielder Jennie Bimson, who has been with the club for ten years, told BBC Sport there is no chance of the team relaxing in the final few weeks of the season.

"We are delighted to finish at the top of the English Premier League and secure our place in Europe next year," she said.

"We want to win every competition we enter. We have won the indoor league and the outdoor league. Now we just have to win the Cup and the play-offs and we will be a very happy club."

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