Doncaster Rovers U18s finally crowned champions

The U18s were 11 points clear at the top of the North East Youth Alliance League with two matches remaining when the season was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Second placed Rotherham United had two games in hand however.

But the competition has now been decided on a points per game basis, crowning Rovers as champions.

Rovers won 12 of their 18 matches played but it was a run of five consecutive wins in their last five matches played that saw them pull clear of the chasing pack.

The triumph comes a year on from the same age group missing out on the title after defeat on the final day of the season.

Skipper Ben Blythe earned his first professional contract with the club following the campaign, and has paid tribute to coach Paul Stancliffe for guiding the group to the title.

“It’s great that we’re champions,” he said.

“I think we’ve had a very strong season and we played some really good football.

“Paul Stancliffe and the coaches played a big part - developing us all as players. I was delighted to be the captain - to win the trophy was just a bonus.

“It was quite close at Christmas and we knew to give ourselves a chance we had to concentrate on ourselves and forget about everyone else and thankfully results went our way.”

Head of Academy coaching Steve Welsh added: “For a lot of the season, we had a number of the U16s stepping up so it really is a great achievement.

“It was a sore one last year losing out on the final game of the season so, even though the points per game isn’t perhaps the best way to win the league, from what I’ve seen they were consistently the best team.

“The lads have been a credit to themselves and the football club. The way they applied themselves in training and in games will only serve them well going forward.”

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