A DARLINGTON junior football club was “over the moon” after its Under 11s team won a tournament in Barcelona after an “amazing effort.”
Darlington 21st Allstars Junior Football Club were left absolutely “thrilled” when the team became the first in the club's history to win a tournament abroad.
Adam Howell, club secretary, said a team had entered the year before but couldn't claim the top prize.
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He said: “It’s the second team that we have entered in the tournament, we had a team do it a year or so ago, who did very well but didn’t manage to win.
“But this team has managed to go and win it."
The club enters teams into at least five tournaments a year, however, it is not often they get the opportunity to play abroad.
Mr Howell said the club must do “a lot of work in the background for them - the success doesn't just happen overnight.”
He added: “A lot of teams and clubs have the aspirations to go out and do this kind of thing but not many have the opportunity to do it, so for a local club to be able to go out and do it and win it is amazing."
The team were able to go on the trip after each member successfully raised funds and pitched in together to make the trip happen.
Mr Howell said the trip allows players to gain “extra experience.”
He added: “It has worked out well because they managed to win as well which is brilliant.”
“Obviously you can see from the pictures that the lads are absolutely thrilled, and I’ve had a message this morning to say they’re still buzzing about it and we as a club are over the moon about it as well.
“We don’t usually get much feedback on the posts that we put out there, but actually this one has brought interest back, which obviously gets our name out there as well as the recognition that the lads deserve.”
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The club received a good response on Facebook after they announced their win with their posting receiving over 100 reactions.
One person commented: “Well done all of you- hope you had an amazing time.”
Another person said: “Epic achievement boys a well deserved and amazing win.”
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