“It was definitely my toughest season yet,” He began. “I had to overcome personal obstacles to deliver my best on the field and I’m pleased to say I’ve come out on top despite the challenges.

McCarthy was branded as overweight when the season started and was also played out of position when David Kannemeyer left the Naturena camp. He missed a few games through suspension and due to being played out of position.

“My family supported me throughout and so did my teammates. When I was played out of position I complained and was benched. I know my best position is in center defence,” he stated. “But I took it as a learning curve and did my best for the team. I feel I’ve contributed towards our league title and thoroughly enjoyed proving the critics wrong about the team and me.

Pirates led the league and were heading for the title virtually unchallenged as they once held a healthy 13-point lead over the champions. The media, and Pirates fans, were convinced that the ‘Happy People’ would prevail.

Meanwhile Chiefs were involved in the African Champions league, the Absa Cup and had games in hand.

“There was a time when I thought we won’t win the league but everyone at Chiefs came together and pulled through. Kaizer Motaung also reminded us of the importance of winning the league and what it means to our supporters,” McCarthy said.

“We just kept on working on our games and our focus was absolute as we vowed to fight until the end. Pirates though did us a favour by dropping points here while we were coming up. The loss against Sundowns, for me, was the turning point for them, I don’t think they recovered from that.

“For me our boost came when we beat Ajax. We were closing the gap and this increased the pressure on them as we were going to clash in the Soweto derby. And although no one won that day the title race was open.

Amakhosi then won their remaining four games to emphatically snatch the title from their fierce rivals. McCarthy believes it is God’s will that they won as they had good luck in the final four games.

“Bush Bucks and United really made it difficult for us but every time we won a game it seem destined that we would win. Especially against Bucks who kept on pressing us. It took a great effort from David (Radebe) to seal the game for us.

Radebe was often criticized for not scoring the easiest of goals but he proved his worth when he won the game for Chiefs, McCarthy rates the former Free State Stars striker highly.

“David is an excellent player,” McCarthy acknowledged. “And I think people have judged him too harshly when he has delivered the goods. When I played against him before he joined us he was really a problem, as he is today for other teams.

The robust fullback travels to Kuruman this weekend where he will organize the fifth FA McCarthy schools tournament before heading to Klerksdorp for a charity tournament that will donate it’s proceedings to a local church and an Aids/HIV group.

“To give back to the smaller communities and to encourage the youngsters to follow their dreams is something I love doing and have been doing for quite a few years now, it's also me respecting a game that has given me so much in life," he concluded.