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Hail the invincibles

Marie Burchill
24/ 4/2008

PREMIERSHIP footballers had better watch their backs – there’s a new team in town and they’ve just been crowned ‘The Invincibles’.

The talented players make up Oswald Road Athletic under-nine’s team from Chorlton and they are making a name for themselves after remaining undefeated throughout the whole of their season.

Although this is only the first time that the team have played in the Timperley and District Junior Football League, they’ve knocked the socks off all of their opposition with their twinkle toes to claim the coveted title of ‘The Invincibles’ – which was also handed to Arsenal following their undefeated season in 2004.

The team – who practise every Thursday at Chorlton Park – beat their rivals, Sporting Sale, 3-1 during the tense league final which took place on Saturday, April 19.

Overall, Oswald Road Juniors have played in 17 matches to run away with their league title. The team is coached by Matt Ryan and Alan Butterworth, whose sons play for the team.

Matt – who also teaches yoga and counts footballer Phil Neville as one of his students – said: "We were all really nervous before the match, but it was quite a comfortable win in the end. Both myself and Alan were standing on the side lines giving the lads encouragement.

"My son, Eden, was awarded man of the match and Alan’s son, Howie, is one of our top scorers, so at the end of it all we were both very proud dads, as well as coaches. The whole team did brilliantly."

Although the two coaches haven’t spotted any scouts at their matches as yet, they are hoping that their recent win will attract interest in the club.

Matt said: "To come into the league for the first time and have the season that we have had, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some interest from scouts. As well as winning the league, our goal difference compared to the rest of the teams was phenomenal.

"Everybody should be delighted."

Although Oswald Road Juniors have remained undefeated all season, an administrative blip in their registration submission meant that they were forced to forfeit a game as they missed the deadline for entrance to the league.

In the game that they were forced to forfeit, they hammered rivals, Lymm Rovers FC, 9-1.

And not content with just league success, Oswald Road Juniors are now hoping to do the double as they take on rivals Wilmslow in the final of the under 9s Timperley Cup at Trafford Football Club on Sunday, May 18.

Matt said: "It would be great if we won the cup as well. We’ve got our fingers crossed!"

Their record season:

• Oswald 9 Lymm Rovers 1
• Old Stretfordians 0 Oswald 11
• Oswald 1 Unicorn Athletic 1
• Wimslow 1 Oswald Juniors 3
• Oswald 5 St Johns FC 0
• FC Sporting Sale 1 Oswald 6
• Ashton 1 Oswald 6
• Oswald 14 Urmston Town FC 1
• Oswald 6 Sale United FC 0
• Lymm 2 Oswald 4
• Oswald 14 Old Stretfordians 1
• Oswald 4 Wilmslow Sports 3
• Unicorn Athletic 2 Oswald 3
• St Johns 0 Oswald 15
• Oswald 8 Ashton FC 1
• Urmston 1 Oswald 1
• Oswald 3 FC Sporting Sale 1

The team have played a total of 17 games in their season. Throughout the season they have scored a whopping 109 goals. Top goal scorers were Howie Butterworth and Paddy McLoughlin.