CHAMPION coaches who have guided a school football team to its most successful season have been honoured.

Eight years ago, parents Eric Nichol and John Lowes volunteered to help out as coaches at Catchgate Primary School, at Catchgate, near Stanley.

Yesterday, they were awarded the regional charter standard by the Durham FA to mark the quality of the coaching they provide for the children throughout the school.

In addition, they received £100- worth of football equipment, including ten balls, as well as bibs and ball bags.

In the past year, the girls and boys teams have won three different trophies, which is a far cry from the early days.

Mr Nichol said: "When we started out, we were getting beaten every week and were bottom of the league.

"But last year, we started to get results and we won our own league and the Derwentside league and, this year, we have held onto the league and won the Stanley Cup and the Consett and Castleside Cup.

"When we started off, we were training with netballs and tennis balls, so getting the equipment is absolutely fantastic."