Star are shining bright

TROPHY TIME: Rochdale and District Sunday League manager of the year, North Star’s Steve Rowe (second, left), is pictured with Ben Greenidge (left), captain Matt Russell and Michael Shepherd, who were all chosen for the Inter-League team for season 2009-2010.

FOOTBALL: NORTH Star FC manager Steve Rowe had plenty of reasons for cheer after his side’s brilliant season.

Following on from a campaign in which the team picked up the Rochdale and District Sunday League premier division title as well as lifting the Chris Shyne Trophy divisional cup, Rowe was honoured as the manager of the year by the league.

And three of the players who contributed to the High Crompton team’s success — Ben Greenidge, captain Matt Russell and Michael Shepherd — were named in the inter-league team of the year.

“It has been a brilliant season,” said Rowe.

“We have beaten Copperpot, who usually win everything, four times out of five meetings and we also recently won a six-a-side competition at Platt Lane in Manchester.

“It isn’t just those 11 players out on the field who have done well. It has been a great effort from a big squad and they all deserve praise.

“The challenge now is to match our achievements next season and hopefully go on a good run in the County Cup competition and also the Champion of Champions Cup, which we have not been involved in before.”