U16s celebrate hat trick of titles

Our U16 team is celebrating a remarkable hat-trick of league wins after clinching the NPC JPL South West League Championship for the third consecutive year. This achievement follows a dominant 6-1 victory at home against Yeovil last Saturday. The triumph secures their place in the National Finals, set to be held in Warwick on April 26-27, where they will compete against the top 11 regional winners from across England.

Playing at the highest level outside of full Professional Academy status, the boys have demonstrated exceptional quality this season with notable victories against Forest Green, Swindon Town, and Cheltenham Town. Their performance has shown they have the potential to progress into our first team. Several players have already been training with Mike Cook and the squad, getting themselves accustomed to the setup.

When asked about the secret to their success, Mike Finan, the U16s team manager, shared, "Our philosophy is clear: we play our football regardless of where we are on the pitch. Whether in our area or the opposition's, we give the boys the freedom to express themselves and create an atmosphere where there is no fear of making mistakes. We like to move the ball quickly and play in what we believe is the right way."

Having come close to winning the National Finals on two previous occasions, the team is hopeful that this year will be their lucky third attempt to bring home the title. Known as the golden generation, they have lost only one game this season, boasting an impressive average of scoring four goals per game while conceding less than one. Many congratulations to the boys, and we wish them the best of luck in the National Finals in a few weeks.