Super seven star at Hopwood Hall

HOPWOOD HALL PIC CAPTION: Back row (left to right): Scott Hardy (technical coach), Kabwende Kalembe, Oumar Camara, Jake Frost, Joe Lindsay, Liam Baker (Chadderton), Grant Dixon, Zack Gemmell (Royton), Declan McGrath, Jordan Hall (Royton), Kaleem Saxon, Rob Johnson (head coach). Front: Owen Shaughnessy (Royton), Daniel Miranda, Joe Richards (Royton), Sam Drennan, Mpela Mafuta, Jamie Symonds, Kieran Glynn (Shaw), Kyle Robinson (Royton).

SEVEN Oldham players featured in Hopwood Hall College's Football Academy team which topped their league after winning all of their fixtures in the 2015-16 season.

The team - which included Royton's Zack Gemmell, Jordan Hall, Owen Shaughnessy, Joe Richards and Kyle Robinson, Shaw's Kieran Glynn and Chadderton's Liam Baker - won the English Colleges FA North West Cat 2 Premier League.

CROP

That meant the current crop added yet another title to the previous eight that the Hopwood Hall first XI has have won since its inception at the beginning of 2000-01 campaign.

Rob Johnson, the Football Academy head coach, said: "All of our teams here are encouraged to play a passing brand of football and with excellent grass and 3G pitches at the college, we have no excuses not to.

"Lots of parents attend the games, so I think it's really important that the football is pleasing on the eye.

"Hard work and endeavour is positively encouraged, so when we lose the ball, we win it back quickly.

"What's also pleasing is that securing another league title has been a real team effort as we operate a player rotation policy.

"If you're not in the squad one week, you'll definitely be in it for the following game.

"Watching the players develop has also been a joy to see, with some of the lads having progressed from the second team to the firsts and playing an integral part of this 'invincible' season.

"Our players are also in the 'shop-window', with vice-captain Kieran Glynn being spotted and offered a semi-pro club contract.

TRIAL

He has also been invited to trial with a local professional club.

It was almost double joy for the college, as the second team narrowly missed out on retaining the title they won last year, finishing runners-up in the Cat 3 Premier League.