SOCCER: A LOCAL junior football team has made an outstanding start to their league career. In September 1999 Claydon Juniors formed a squad of under sevens to begin informal and fun football training sessions under the guidance of manager/coach Steve Double.

A LOCAL junior football team has made an outstanding start to their league career.

In September 1999 Claydon Juniors formed a squad of under sevens to begin informal and fun football training sessions under the guidance of manager/coach Steve Double.

Claydon Autos agreed to sponsor the team and the squad of 12 boys, proudly sporting their new kit, were ready to play a couple of friendly matches.

They ended their 1999/2000 season by entering a five-a-side competition at Wickham Market and they carried away the winner's trophy.

After a tentative start the boys' confidence and skills grew, match by match and everybody began to work together as a team.

With this improved confidence came improved results and the team were soon heading towards the top of the table.

As the end of the season drew near three teams were in contention for the league title, nailbiting times for both coaches and supporters alike. The league title was not decided until the final match of the season.

Claydon won the league by the very narrowest of margins, a goal difference of just one!

However, the season was not yet finished. Claydon were through to the final of the Knockout Shield competition and after another tough match, they were once again victorious and proudly went up to collect their trophy from Kevin Beattie.

Claydon rounded off the season by competing in three summer tournaments at Claydon, Wickham Market and Needham Market and brought home the winners' trophy on each occasion (retaining the Wickham Market Trophy).

The success of the team has been down to the hard work and determination of all of the squad. But a special mention must go to the defensive skills of Steven Aldous and Timothy Williams and the goalscoring abilities of Adam Day, Adam Horn, Luke Ingram and top goal scorer Joe Bowman, who scored an impressive total of 30 goals in the season.

The boys are all keenly waiting to see what the 2001/02 season has in store for them.