Catholic Club FC rise to the occassion

Rochdale Catholic Club players pop the champagne cork to celebrate their First Division title win

Three years ago Trevor Jones, Vice-Chairman of the Rochdale amp; District Sunday Football League approached the football team of Saint Cuthbert's RC School and asked if they would like to remain together as a team as they left school and represent Rochdale Catholic Club in the League.

The team’s progress in the league since accepting the invitation has been nothing short of remarkable. They have progressed from the Third Division, to the Second, then this season the First and on Tuesday night (8 May) a comfortable victory over Brunswick saw them take the First Division title and with it secure promotion to the Premier Division.

As remarkable as their rapid progress through the divisions is their record en route, the squad, with an average age of just 19, has lost only three games in three seasons, notching up 105 goals, and this season are the only team in the League not to lose a game.

Manager Nigel Curtis paid tribute to their achievement saying: "I am delighted we have won the title to cap what has been a great achievement by a group of players who have stayed playing together since age 12."