THEY may not have been cup final champions, but the players scored one heck of a win for girls football.
In one of the most anticipated matches of the season, AFC Bolton Under 10 Girls — the only girls team to compete in the 'boys' Bolton Community Partnership League — faced Horwich RMI Under 10 Jets in the cup final.
Among the supporters watching from the pitch sidelines was Manchester City Ladies' Megan Campbell.
Despite an early lead, the girls team lost 4-1.
Coach Jen Winnard said: “We played out of our skin, we tried our very hardest and trust us, we wanted to win so badly - but it sadly wasn’t our day. This was a tough pill to swallow at first, but we soon brushed ourselves off and had a celebration regardless. We may not have come away with the cup but we’ve come away with so much more. The team have brought girls football to the forefront, gained the respect of everyone who watched and we’ve shown that girls football can be taken seriously.
"These girls are changing attitudes every time someone watches or plays against us.
(Picture by Walker Sports Pics)
"A huge congratulations to Horwich RMI Jets. They showed the utmost respect to the girls both on and off the pitch and they were worthy winners on the day.
"Now we take a week or two break, and then we start training again! We’ve got next season to prepare for – the battle continues!”
The boys team showed real sportsmanship by forming an guard of honour as the girls left the pitch. Before then, some of the girls will back on the pitch in the girl's leagues playing against Salford United for the East Lancashire Football Alliance Cup.
After appearing in The Bolton News, the girls were interviewed on local radio and The One Show.
Club Chairman Darren Winnard said: "We started AFC Bolton as a girls football team in 2016 with one team and nine players. We had no funding, no facilities – no kits! Five years on, we’re managing 30 assorted squads with nearly 400 players. The massive success of the Under 10’s Girls over the last few seasons is a real testament to what AFC Bolton is all about; in terms of equality and grassroots football for all – regardless of gender, age and ability. I’m so proud of the coaches, parents and of course the players of this team and of our fantastic AFC Family”
Pictures by Walker Sport Pics
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