Burngreave Saints Under 9s, who play at Petre Street recreation field, swept all opponents aside to be crowned Sheffield and District Junior Sunday League champions.
This is the first season the boys, unbeaten as Under 8s, have played within the league table format, and it took them no time at all to find their shooting boots.
Team secretary, Deborah Colgrave, said the winning habit comes easily. “The last game of the season was against Hillsborough Pumas and it was about 7–0. That’s the sort of scores they get.”
With only two losses all season, the team has had a meteoric rise since Mrs Colgrave, a life-long Burngreave resident, remembers watching them play as the newly-formed Under 7s. She said: “It was like rabbits in headlights, they were being hammered every week 20–0!”
“I got involved because my son started playing.There is still a core of local kids but now, we are getting kids from all over.”
Such is their success, several of the players, including Mrs Colgrave’s son, Ashley, have been snapped up by Sheffield United Academy.
After enjoying a successful relationship with United Steel, the Under 9s are also seeking a new sponsor for next season which will see them mixing it with formidable teams such as Handsworth Boys, Junior Blades and Young Owls.
Mrs Colgrave said: “I just wish for them to be as successful as they can. It is going to be tougher next season, because they are playing with the big boys now. But if they keep their confidence up they could do quite well. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Next month, the deserving players, trained and managed by Patrick Blake, will be recognised at a gala presentation at Barnsley Metrodome.
by Ben Knight