SOCCER: This year's Bury Football School squad at West Suffolk College is well on the way to equalling last season's memorable victories. Last year they scored an historic win in the ESFA Schools and Colleges' trophy as well as coming top in the Eastern Junior Alliance League and carrying off the East Anglian Cup.

By Elvin King

THIS year's Bury Football School squad at West Suffolk College is well on the way to equalling last season's memorable victories.

Last year they scored an historic win in the ESFA Schools and Colleges' trophy as well as coming top in the Eastern Junior Alliance League and carrying off the East Anglian Cup.

The Football School team remained unbeaten for the whole of October and November and head coach Danny Laws has been delighted with the progress made by the scheme's 40 full-time

students.

"The new recruits are playing Under-18 football in the Eastern Junior Alliance and despite being all under 17, they have won every match," he said. "Their form is fantastic, considering they only came together for the first time this season. To win all six league games and four cup games is a great achievement.

"We are operating two teams, one at Under-17 level and one at Under-19, and some boys have overlapped."

The Under-19's have only lost two games all season, and one was against Nuneaton, who Laws expects to challenge Bury for the Eastern Region BCS (British Colleges Sport] Centres for Football Excellence league top spot.

"We were desperately unlucky not to come away with at least a point from Nuneaton and I know the lads are looking forward to playing them at home."

In the Eastern Junior Cup Under-18 competition, Bury turned in what was their best performance of the season, beating Histon 12-1 at Ram Meadow.

They was followed this up by a 6-0 victory over Biggleswade, to set up a quarter-final game against Colchester United early in January.

"Our chances of success this season depend on individual effort," added Laws, who is also manager of the Suffolk county Under-18 side.

"We have had plenty of team success, but this is only achieved by individuals working hard and improving their game. Last season we had boys pushing themselves for international honours and places at professional clubs."