A STAR footballer who played for her school's boys team helped them win the trophy her granddad won 59 years ago.

Layla Hall, 13, a pupil at Longfield School, Darlington, helped the school's under 14 boys team lift the Darlington Schools Cup final trophy at Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth, on Wednesday, cheered on by her biggest fan, her granddad Dave Hughes, 71.

Longfield beat fierce rivals Hummersknott to lift the trophy for the first time in a number of years.

Layla's mother, fitness instructor Lucy Curran, said: "When she looked at the trophy she could see it was the same physical trophy that Eastbourne had won it in 1960, beating their rivals Albert Hill for the first time in years.

"My dad, her grandad, had played in that cup final for Eastbourne 59 years ago, winning it.

The Northern Echo:

"Dave was very proud and nostalgic seeing the same cup presented to Layla's school team Longfield.

"Layla's really small and the boys are all getting big now they are 14, but she holds her own."

She said Mr Hughes had been a talented footballer when he was younger and had always encouraged Layla to play, even from just four years old.

She said: "We did try taking her to ballet and other things but she's a tomboy and she just wanted to play football."

Layla, who plays on the wing, had also been selected to play for Longfield girls football team and helped them to victory in the County Cup.

The school has some very strong girls playing and a few were selected to play for the boys' team.

Ms Curran said Layla played for the Teesside Girls RTC Academy under 14s, which trains at Eston and plays against teams such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United.

She said: "Her granddad supports her avidly and he is up and down the A66 taking her to training all the time.

"He takes her to Middlesbrough every week and loves to watch her matches for the school and for Teesside.

"Layla gets her drive and passion for football from her grandad.

"He was very happy seeing the same cup presented to Layla’s school team Longfield, and even checked the date in 1960 on the Bousfield Cup to see Eastbourne’s victory.

"A very proud granddad and granddaughter moment.

"He really is her number one fan."

Mr Hughes lives next door to his daughter and granddaughter in Harrowgate Hill, Darlington.