IT was the most important win of their young lives.

IT was the most important win of their young lives.

Just like the jubilation of the winners of the Premier League or FA Cup, players and fans were jumping for joy with the bubbly spraying everywhere as the celebrations began.

Though there was no silverware for the young lads of the Phoenix Youth U11 B team at Needham Market, it was indeed a special victory - their first win in FOUR YEARS of playing.

After dozens of games trudging off the pitch as losers, with not even a draw to give them hope or a point on the board, the team finally ended their long run of defeats.

“When the final whistle went everyone was ecstatic - everyone was jumping up and down, including all the parents, and there were real celebrations,” said team manager Paul Wright.

“The joy on the players' faces was worth all the hard work.

“I had one or two little incentives for them this season and I promised we would have a bottle of champagne and spray it everywhere when they won and they loved that, and they are all going to Laser Quest as a reward, which they thoroughly deserve.

“They have been fantastic this season, getting better all the time.

“It can be quite depressing after four seasons coming off every week getting beaten, but the team spirit has always been there and they have all given 100 per cent in every game. It has paid dividends.”

The season started badly with a 14-0 defeat, typical of the scoreline over the past few years, but each week the team - all aged ten and 11 - have narrowed the gap.

In the match they eventually won, they beat Walsham le Willows 5-4 at home, Crowley Park, Needham Market, in the Ipswich and Suffolk Youth League Division Two, thanks to two goals from Alex Pearce and others from George Simmons, Jake Wardley and Toby Stollery.

“We were 4-0 up at half-time but we seemed overwrought at the start of the second and they scored three times in 15 minutes - then we realised the opposition had 12 players on the pitch!” said Mr Wright.

“Ryan Wright then made an amazing run from the halfway line, beating four players, to win a penalty and we hung on.

“It was wonderful - they had a lot of close ones and some bad luck this season, and to get the win was marvellous.”

Tell us your unusual sports stories - the highs and the lows. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

FASTFACTS: Some of football's worst records

Derby County last season became the worst Premier League team - ending the season with the lowest ever points tally (11) and just one win, scoring 20 goals and conceding 89.

Dumbarton manager Jim Fallon probably has the worst league season record in the UK - in 1995-96 the side played 36, won three, drew two, lost 31. However, two of the wins came in the opening two games, before Fallon was appointed.

Notts County, the oldest club in the Football League, are said to be the worst to follow - the club has sacked an incredible 36 managers since 1945, and been promoted or relegated 29 times.

Per Kroldrup is judged to be on the of the worst transfers ever - Everton paid Udinese �5m for him in 2005 but he only made one league appearance for the Toffees before going back to Italy.