Strong home form has helped a Market Drayton football team to go through the season unbeaten and become league champions.
The team from Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution (YOI) clinched the Telford Combination League despite the disadvantage of not having any home supporters to watch their games.
Their achievement is all the more remarkable because the team, made up of staff and inmates at Stoke Heath, was not allowed to play any away games and no visiting fans were allowed to see them play at home either.
The team was coached by physical education officers at the prison Steve Hulme and Andy Dunkerley who also both played in the side.
Stoke Heath YOI deputy governor P.J. Butler said: “There are 10 teams in the league and this is only our second season taking part, so everyone is very pleased with the outcome.
“We were unbeaten all season, winning 14 games and drawing four so we’re over the moon.
“Of course, all our side’s matches had to be played as home fixtures for obvious security reasons but it’s still some achievement.”
Mr Butler added that involvement in the league has had a positive effect on the inmates as they prepare for life outside of prison.
He said: “The trainees have been maintaining the pitch themselves under FA regulations and they get to improve their fitness and have something to look forward to.
“It helps them get healthy and gives them the same opportunities as other young adults get in the community.
“It also helps divert their attention to doing productive things.”
The prison team is made up of 13 inmates, aged 18 to 21, and a prison officer who were presented with their hard-earned trophy and medals on Tuesday.
Stoke Heath YOI governor John Huntington said: “The effort put in by the coaches and team has been magnificent.
“A combination of teamwork, respect and pride has brought an impressive outcome which everyone at Stoke Heath can appreciate and share in.”
By Winston Brown
