Football stars celebrate a great season

Photo: Laura Wild

First team captain, Claire Pearson holds the Northern Combination League Cup, alongside the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali

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The Rochdale AFC Ladies team celebrated a season of triumphs and hard work last night (Friday 28 May 2010).

The most remarkable achievement of the clubs five teams is that the first team have been crowned the Northern Combination League Champions of 2010. Next season the ladies will move up to the Tesco Northern Premier League where they will play against teams such as Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

First team manager Phil Pearson said: “This is a massive achievement for the club. The teams in the league we will be playing in next season are all semi-pros; they are getting paid to play whilst our members are still playing subs so they can play.

“They have worked so hard to get here. This has been the best year ever. My thanks go to the head coach Steve Walmsley who has done a great job.”

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulifaq Ali presented medals to all the teams, he said: “This is great news for Rochdale, they have done so well and it just shows that team work and participation can pay off.”

Awards were presented to the clubs five teams this evening, this includes the under 14s team, the under 15s team, the blues team, the reserve team and the first team.

Awards:

Merit award – for hard work and commitment to the club
Under 14s: Elilish Kenny
Under 15s: Emma Holroyd
Blues team: Jenny Ashton
Reserve team: Nat Gill
First team: Claire Pearson

Players’ player of the year award
Under 14s: Sophie Curzon
Under 15s: Paris Welch
Blues team: Lindsey Sykes
Reserve team: Natalie Metcalfe
First team: Lyndsey Burtonwood

Managers’ player of the year award
Under 14s: Becky Dinsdale
Under 15s: Georgia Stanworth
Blues team: Abi Ramsey
Reserve team: Geo Farrelley
First team: Sarah Buffel

Dedicated service award
Lyndsey Burtonwood

Ms Burtonwood 22, is a first team player and under 14s team manager, she has dedicated a lot of time and effort to the club this year.

Club chairman, David Yates said: "Lyndsey has gone above and beyond this year, she is devoted to the club and this year is the person who has made the most effort."

Mr Yates set up the team 15 years ago he explained that the club is always looking for new members, he said: “We are always recruiting girls, especially of the younger ages.

“Ten of the first team team have been with us now for ten years they are all local people and have progressed over the years and their hearts are based here in Rochdale.

“The open age teams have had the most successful season ever, they won every away game and out of twenty games this season they only lost two and drew one.

“Within the club we aim for the girls to be safe, to be happy and to develop the ability to achieve.”