A BRADFORD based amateur side have won the Yorkshire Christian league and cup double- the first team to do so for 30 years.

The side in question are Bowling Eagles FC, and they topped off a dramatic season by winning the League Cup on Wednesday evening, after they’d already secured the Yorkshire Christian League title.

An amazing feat for a squad, who were denied the opportunity to claim trophy glory in the previous campaign, due to covid restrictions.

The Eagles put on a fine display to earn double trophy success on this occasion, after thrashing St George’s FC 5-0, with goals coming from Lee Smith (x2), Phillip Ndlovu, Ian Gilmour and Liam keeley.

And manager Ashley Northin spoke highly of his side’s successes.

He said: “It's an amazing achievement to win the double and I'm extremely proud of the players.

"From where this club was when we took over, to now winning the double, it's a great achievement.

"The club was in debt; it was ready to fold and virtually scrap everything.

"But we came in and we have managed to turn it on its head.

"The lads were unfortunate last season because the season was declared null and void. Being so close to winning something, and then to have it taken away from you, it's not a nice feeling."

Northin's side impressed throughout the campaign and actually went unbeaten in all games, and one man who fired them to glory was captain Lee Smith.

The star striker hit a remarkable 30 goal tally, and Northin couldn't praise the talisman enough.

He said: "Our captain Lee Smith was instrumental to the side. He got 30 goals which is amazing, and it has never happened in a league like that.

"I was speaking to one of the league committees, who has worked there for over 50 years, and he was saying that no one has beaten that tally of goals since he had been there, so I'm really pleased for Lee.

"But it's not just Lee. Everyone has been good and it has been a collective effort, but now we are done, I think the squad are tired and ready to celebrate."

"We will also begin to look ahead to next season.

"We have been promoted to the Premier Division for the first time, but I've spoke to the lads, and I have full belief that we can win it.

"I think there will be a few teams that are certainly wary of us."

Northin added: "We will definitely be looking to add a few new faces, and with it being a Yorkshire Christian League, the ethos is to turn people to god.

"Potentially we will look at adding some defenders and midfielders.

"I don't think we need to look at strikers given the form of Lee."