THE sweet smell of success was in the air when victorious local football teams received the fruits of their labours.
Hundreds of players, coaches, officials and committee members from the Bolton, Bury and District Football League (BBDFL) met for their annual award ceremony, where it was smiles all round for numerous section champions.
The league recently held its hugely-successful cup final weekend, with matches taking place at the Macon Stadium on the first day and – due to the last-minute unavailability of original venue the Etihad Campus – Wanderers' Lostock base and Horwich St Mary's Victoria's Scholes Bank home.
And with the final whistle long gone on the season, last week's event was a chance for all the teams to come together and recognise each others' successes.
Dozens of victorious squads descended on Victoria Hall for the end-of-season bash, where the league winners received their trophies and individual prizes.
There were six section winners in the under-12s. They were:
Section A – Walshaw Sports
Section B – Atherton Town Aztecs
Section C – Adlington
Section D – Standish Panthers Galaxy
Section E – Hindsford Hawks
Section F – Pennington
The u13s had a magnificent seven successful teams:
Section A – Pennington Youth
Section B – Bolton County Eagles
Section C – Hindley Town Dortmund
Section D – Eastleigh Junior Latics
Section E – Astley and Tyldesley Tigers
Section F – Lourdes Lions
Section G – Winton JFC
The five five-star teams collecting championship silverware in the u14s were:
Section A – Walshaw Sports
Section B – Park United
Section C – Moorside Rangers Yellows
Section D – Winton JFC
Section E – AFC Dobbies Black
The u15s section titles went to:
Section A – Cherrybrook Juniors
Section B – Adlington Aces
Section C – Atherton Town
Section D – Adlington Arrows
Section E – Atherton Town All Stars
In the u16s four clubs collected silverware:
Section A – BISC Junior Lions
Section B – Bury Allstars Mercury
Section C – Beechfield United Tornados
Section D – Boothstown
There were three trophies presented to u17s teams:
Section A – Pennington FC Lions
Section B – Woodbank Juniors
Section C – Deans Youth Tigers
Two section winners in the u18s ranks received their trophies:
Section A – Littleborough Juniors
Section B – Little Lever Sports
Horwich RMI were the winners of the u21s section.
The BBDFL's general secretary, Chris Rees, said: "From the U12’s to the U21’s all the winners are recognised for their dedication and hard work over the season and gives them a chance to celebrate their league victories.
"It’s also a chance for the players to thank the coaches and parents who, week on week, give up their own time to ensure games can go ahead.
"I would personally like to thank the staff at Victoria Hall, Stuart and Bernice McNair, Katrina Mills, Hollie Blears, Tony Berry, Janet Cormican and Gary Russell for their help throughout the day."
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