ALVECHURCH under 10s have been crowned One Tournament National champions having won the final at St George’s Park last weekend.

The side, managed by David Deakin, lifted the trophy after beating Bognor Regis Youth 1-0 in the final.

Alvechurch had to qualify for the finals day at English Football HQ at a Midland tournament; where they were won six of their seven games without conceding a goal to ready the big day.

They then arrived at St George's Park and won two of three group games to qualify for the final, which they narrowly won 1-0.

Deakin expressed how over the moon he was with his players and now he hopes the boys will use this moment as a springboard for their careers.

"I am incredibly proud of them," he said.

"These children have had to deal with the uncertainly of the pandemic over the last 18 months and football for them is a way for them to express themselves, make vital friendships, develop skills, and to have that taken away from them was really tough.

"We had regular zoom meetings and virtual fitness sessions and quizzes through lockdowns to keep spirits high but this has been a fantastic achievement on the back of what has been a pretty rubbish time really.

"I said to them at the end, enjoy the moment but there is so much more to learn and to progress with, let's go again and work on where we can get even better."

Deakin was full of praise for the youth section at Alvechurch and is confident the club can keep progressing on that front.

"The youth section at church is absolutely amazing," he added.

"A lot of the age groups at the club are invited to play the academies in the area and the club are moving quickly.

"Alvechurch is becoming a destination of choice for kids in the north Worcestershire and South-Birmingham area, which is fantastic to see."