A STUDENT football team is celebrating after being named champions of a regional league.

The Darlington College of Technology side won 16 matches, drew two and lost two to top the Northern Alliance Under-19s League - winning it by eight points.

The success was made all the more sweet as the team is the only college side in the semi-professional league.

It is the first time Darlington College has won the league, though last year it won the Northern Alliance Cup and the National FA Colleges Youth Cup.

Darlington College's football development manager, Dave Cowling, said: "It's an excellent result for them as they were the youngest team by a long way. Most will be able to play in the competition next year so it's a really good result."

The students attend the college's football development centre, which combines full-time study to obtain qualifications with coaching and the opportunity to compete in national competitions.

This year, many of the students have secured professional trials with clubs including Premiership outfits Middlesbrough, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.