THE Chester-le-Street U11s district schools' football team are now joint National adidas Predator seven-a-side champions after a Wembley draw against an Oxford team.

Their achievement was reco-gnised by Chester-le-Street district council when the chairman, Coun Ian Wilson, presented the boys with medals.

The team has won every trophy in County Durham and is now seven-a-side champions, five-a-side champions, league winners, KO Cup-winners and Tyne and Wear winners.

The success is well timed as this year is the 50th anniversary of the Chester-le-Street Schools' League, and the last season that matches will be played at Wembley Stadium.

Medals also went to coach Tom Baker, and trainers Alan Baker and Joe McCormick. Tom, a teacher at Red Rose Primary School, has a further reason to celebrate. He recently received a lifetime achievement award in the region's Teaching Awards 2000.

Members of the squad who received the council medals were Graeme Coapes, Damon Ellis (Chester-le-Street C of E), Darren Redfern, Wayne Gough (Red Rose), Scott Hunt (Ouston), Mark Anderson and Martin Guy (Pelton County), Adam Mitchenson, Mark Brown (Newker), Richard Smith (Finchale), Carl Magnay (Birtley St Joseph's), Stephen MacKenzie (Barley Mow&.