A Ryt good season!
UNDER-18 FOOTBALL
TWO years ago Ryton and Crawcrook Albion Under-18s almost folded - now they are winning trophies for fun!
Coaches John Gallagher and Barry Forbes feared for their teenage team’s future as players were snapped up by league club academies.
However, they decided to battle on - and their decision has been totally vindicated by a season of stunning success and silverware. The Tyneside team won four trophies in 2016-17 - the Durham FA Summer Cup, the John Maley League Cup, the Durham FA Under18 League title and the Durham FA County Cup.
Albion also reached the first round proper of the prestigious FA Youth Cup - winning five matches to do so - before losing gallantly to Rochdale.
The squad claimed the league crown by seven points - drawing its first game but winning every match after that.
In all the Albion notched 121 goals - Kyle Wharton top-scoring with 37 - and conceded only 14.
Former Newcastle United winger Gallagher said: “The team almost disbanded two years ago when we lost 12 of our squad to league club academies.
“However, Barry and I felt it would be a real shame if we just gave up and let the team fold
“We decided to keep things going and that decision has really paid off.
“There is a great team spirit among the lads and what they have achieved this past season is fantastic and well deserved.”