A YOUTH football team is celebrating after a hat-trick of successes on the pitch.

Tanfield Lea Community Primary School, near Stanley, won the Gordon Walton League against other schools in the area, The Jock Dodds Trophy in the champions’ league and the Eddie Embleton Memorial Shield in another competition.

Captain Lewis Miley, 11, from Stanley, who plays as striker and is also part of the football academy at Newcastle United, said: “We have all worked really hard to get this far.”

The plaques were presented to the team during a sports day on Monday.

Ben Halpin, 11, from Tantobie, who plays right back or right wing, and is also a member of Beamish Sparks, said: “We play together all of the time and we work together a team.

“When we have got a big match coming up we do extra training.”

The team trains once a week and is coached by teacher Mark Temple, as well as Steven Doolan and Stephen Frost, whose sons are part of the team.

Headteacher Kay Hemmings said: “We have got some very talented players.”