Angels soar to soccer success

Heyside Angels led by chairman Steve gricea

A BULGING trophy cabinet has earned Heyside Angels a Pride in Oldham nomination.

The ladies football club has had a phenomenal season, lifting an amazing 14 out of 15 trophies in Oldham Girls League.

On top of this success, the team won a North-West competition in Blackburn and a European tournament in Holland, and claimed seven runner-up trophies.

The club was set up in 2000 as part of Heyside Juniors and has 115 members, aged from six to 25. They train on the artificial pitches at Royton and Crompton School.

Steve Grice, chairman of Heyside Angels and Heyside Juniors, said: “They have been phenomenal!

“The girls get on very well. The teams are strong, the coaches are great and everything has just come together in a fantastic year.

“It is obviously very difficult to do an almost clean sweep. I do not think it will ever be achieved again.”

The club has expanded over the years and Steve, who also manages two teams, added: “Girls football is becoming more and more popular. The numbers that we are getting in our club go up every year.

“One of my girls is 12 and she has just been signed up by Liverpool’s school of excellence. That’s how good they are.

“We try to give women’s football as much a push forward as men’s football. It is difficult with it being a male-oriented sport, that is why we are so proud of what they have done.”