A MANAGER has given a dream team of young footballers a pat on the back for their flawless run of wins.

The Spennymoor Juniors team has won games consistently since it formed nearly five years ago, but this year the players are celebrating a hat-trick of wins.

In a pre-season national tournament the Under-16s won the Norfolk Cup, beating more than 80 other teams from across the country. They also came top in their own league, the Teesside Junior Alliance and won the league cup.

Team manager Tom Francis said: "They started at the very bottom when they first set out, but in their first season they went through the league and won every game.

"As they have moved up the age groups they have been successful every season by winning the leagues they have competed in, but this has been an outstanding year, even for them.

"I never say this to the players - because I don't want them becoming complacent - but I probably have the best squad of players in the Northern area, which they have proved.