An under 9s football team has been crowned national champions.
FGS Benfica formed in 2021 just after lockdown and have been demolishing the competition ever since. Headed by star coach Craig Willow the team has won 17 trophies in two years. However, yesterday was their biggest challenge yet when they came up against some of the best teams in the country at the EFS national under-nines championship.
The tournament was played at the England national team training ground St Georges Park. After facing some stiff competition and winning three matches on the bounce, the girls brought silverware back to Otterspool.
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Stuart Richards whose daughter Elizabeth plays for the team said: "The team won the Northern Championships against some of the best sides in the north earlier in the year.
"It was amazing to get to the home of English football at St Georges Park the national men's team where there only last week. We knew it would be a challenge as we were playing all the winners from the regional finals."
FGS Benfica played Little Canfield Star in their first match in a tight 1-0 win before playing Battyeford Sporting in the semi-final brushing them off with a 6-0 win. Then it was on to the grand final and FGS Benfica was only one match away from glory.
Stuart told the ECHO: "There are a few things that make the team so good and the first is there is so much talent. Then Craig who is such a good coach and the camaraderie he has brought is amazing. The last is the spirit, the girls all help and care for each other they are a team until the end."
In the final FGS Benfica came up against Broxbourne United and managed to score six goals in a stunning victory. Stuart said that he is "immensely proud" of what the team has achieved.
The 42-year-old said: "I think everyone was nervous and anxious but we were fairly confident. Once we scored two goals the girls started to enjoy the game.
"It caps off a great year and now they are the best in the UK and they are flying the flag for the women's game. It means the world to them because they are playing for each other."
Stuart said FGS Benfica celebrated the win by blasting the song Barbie Girl by Aqua in the minibus on the way home.
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