Durham Sixth Form Centre is proud to announce that our Boys’ Football Academy first team is crowned National Football Youth League ( NFYL) North Division 1 Champions after a hard-fought season in the highest level of football, outside the academy system.

Ewan Stones won the sixth form’s Golden Boot this year with 20 goals across the campaign, closely followed by Owen Hayton (19), putting them both in the top 5 scorers in the league and together firing us to our first National Football Youth League title. Fin Rose scored a very respectable 11 goals en route to the title, including a world-class free kick in the last game of the season, while Zack Blythe contributed 9 goals in 8 games. Meanwhile, captain Ben Pyle sured up the defence, despite playing out of position, leading the boys through some difficult times throughout the season. Goalkeeper James Barron shared the Golden Glove, with goalkeepers from Barnsley and Burnley, recording 9 clean sheets. 

Tom Brandon contributed 8 goals in 8 games, while Kal Coulthard was a midfield general, with MOTM performances, most notably in the 2-1 away win at Middlesbrough. Jake Bewley has been a mainstay in this side, along with Taylor Bowen, Jack Scanlon, George Wilkinson and Matthew Lounton (GK), providing a defensive foundation for the attackers to thrive, all leaving the centre with a trophy to show for their efforts. The left-back dream team of James Hoband and Alex Carr also leave us this year after 2 years of hard work up and down the wings, along with Isaac Jowett whose clever attacking play has been a headache for opposition defences.        

Our Year 12 players have really stepped up this year, with Sam Field, Jason Fitzpatrick, Hugh Otwinowski, Jamile Patey all playing extremely well. There have been many appearances from other Year 12s who have come into the side during injury spells for teammates. They have all raised their level to the standard of the NFYL, including Noah Honour, Alfie Howard, Daniel Jarvis, Archie Munsey, Luke Sowden, Cain Swanson and Jack Roberts. They each have made a real case for being included in the NFYL side next year, joining Harrison Craig and Nathan Scaife, who have had injury-hit seasons but have contributed nonetheless. 

29 players have contributed to this achievement, proving that this truly is a squad game!

Congratulations to all the boys involved this year and a fond farewell to the Year 13s leaving us in the summer.

The boys football team are looking for a sponsor to provide a new away kit for the coming season. For more details please contact Dan Gourley at [email protected]